Frog virus 3 induces a fatal hepatitis in rats

To define its pathogenesis, the acute degenerative hepatitis caused by frog virus 3 (FV3) has been reproduced in the rat, thus facilitating a greater number of biologic explorations than in the mouse. The histologic and ultrastructural study proves a massive hepatocellular necrosis perfectly compatible with the fatal outcome of the illness 30 hours after the inoculation of one LD100. Critical analysis of the FV3 rat hepatitis induces us to advance three arguments for excluding the direct role of the virus in hepatocytolysis. (1) The hepatocyte is neither the sole nor the first intrahepatic target of the virus. The endothelial barrier and especially the Kupffer cells are completely necrosed several hours prior to the appearance of the first signs of parenchymal cell disturbances. Morphologic observations and, in particular, the evolution in the site and chronology of the cytolysis are confirmed by the variation in the activity of cathepsin D, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, and lactic dehydrogenase in serum. (2) There is a close correlation between the structural alterations in the hepatocyte nuclei and the inhibition in the synthesis of the liver macromolecules. But the discovery of a rat strain sensitive to the virus and another more resistant strain provides evidence that there is no relationship between the sensitivity to the lethal power of the FV3 and the metabolic disorders. (3) The ways in which the FV3 spreads throughout the organism do not explain why the liver is the sole organ attacked. A second etiopathogenic factor, only found in the liver, must be invoked. The possible role of the plasma complement, strongly activated, is suggested, along with that of other toxic substances which can no longer be cleared. The metabolic inhibition directly connected with the FV3 would thus result not in producing the hepatocytolysis but in rendering any cellular regeneration impossible.