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Updated: Mar 27, 2026
Use of In vivo Imaging to Monitor the Progression of Experimental Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection in Neonates
Published on: July 6, 2013
Pattern of circulation of MCMV mimicking natural infection upon oronasal inoculation
Shunchuan Zhang1, Jun Xiang1, Lowiese M B Desmarets1
1Laboratory of Virology, Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Abstract:
Cytomegaloviruses may infect mammals via oronasal route. However, up till now it remains unclear how this exposure leads to a general infection and shedding. To address this issue, BALB/c female mice were oronasally inoculated with either the highly passaged murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) Smith or the low passaged MCMV HaNa1. Virus titration showed a productive virus replication of both strains in the nasal mucosa from 1 dpi until the end of the experiment (14 dpi), in lungs from 5 until 14 dpi, and in submandibular glands from 7 until 14 dpi. In contrast to MCMV HaNa1, MCMV Smith also established a low level productive infection in abdominal organs (spleen, liver and kidneys) from 5 dpi (spleen), 7 dpi (liver), and 10 dpi (kidneys) until the end of the experiment. Co-culture showed that for both strains, cell-associated virus was detected in a non-infectious form in nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissues (NALT) from 1 until 14 dpi, in submandibular lymph nodes from 3 until 5 dpi, in deep cervical lymph nodes from 3 until 14 dpi, in mediastinal lymph nodes from 7 until 14 dpi, in spleen from 5 until at least 10 dpi and in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) at 7 and 10 dpi. The present study shows that upon oronasal exposure, MCMV first enters the nasal mucosa and NALT, from where the virus disseminates to the spleen possibly via the draining lymphatic system and blood; a subsequent cell-associated viremia transports MCMV to submandibular glands and for MCMV Smith also to liver and kidneys, where a second productive replication starts.
Insights
Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infects mice through the nose, spreading from nasal tissues to the spleen and then to other organs. This study clarifies the initial infection pathway of MCMV following oronasal exposure.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) are significant pathogens in mammals, with oronasal exposure being a common infection route.
- The precise mechanisms by which CMVs establish systemic infection after oronasal exposure remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the initial dissemination and replication dynamics of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) following oronasal inoculation in a murine model.
- To compare the infection patterns of a highly passaged MCMV strain (Smith) versus a low-passaged strain (HaNa1).
Main Methods:
- BALB/c female mice were oronasally inoculated with MCMV Smith or MCMV HaNa1.
- Virus titration and co-culture assays were performed on various tissues and blood samples at different time points post-infection (dpi).
Main Results:
- Both MCMV strains replicated productively in the nasal mucosa, lungs, and submandibular glands.
- MCMV Smith, unlike HaNa1, also established productive infection in abdominal organs (spleen, liver, kidneys).
- Cell-associated, non-infectious MCMV was detected in lymphoid tissues (NALT, lymph nodes), spleen, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), indicating systemic spread.
Conclusions:
- Oronasal MCMV infection initiates in the nasal mucosa and nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissues (NALT).
- Dissemination to the spleen occurs via lymphatic and blood routes, followed by cell-associated viremia.
- Subsequent productive replication in submandibular glands and, for MCMV Smith, in abdominal organs, highlights strain-dependent tropism and systemic spread.
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