Experimental pneumovirus infections. 2. Hydrocephalus of hamsters and mice due to infection with human respiratory syncytial virus (RS).

Respiratory syncytial virus (RS) injected into suckling hamsters and mice via the cerebral route induced hydrocephalus in 35% of the animals. The pathogenesis of the condition has been examined by light microscopy, immunofluorescence, and virus isolation. Infection of leptomeninges and ependyma was revealed by immunofluorescence of virus-specific antigens between Days 3 and 7 after inoculation. Histologically, eosinophilic inclusion bodies were visible within the cytoplasma of ependymal and meningeal cells. A patent aqueduct was observed in all hydrocephalic animals but one. These observations point out the affinity of RS virus for the cerebroventricular system of newborns and the induction of pathologic changes in experimental hydrocephalus without stenosis of the aqueduct.