Small intestinal epithelial brush border enzymatic changes in suckling mice infected with reovirus type 3

Suckling mice infected with reovirus type 3 were examined for changes in the epithelial brush border of the small intestine. After 3 days of infection with reovirus type 3, no significant changes were found in intestinal morphology or activity of any enzymes tested. After 6 days, villi were shortened and blunted with lymphangiectatic lesions and mild mononuclear infiltration in the lamina propria. In addition, there was a significant decrease in lactase (P < 0.001) and enterokinase activity (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant changes in the activities of alkaline phosphatase. In contrast, maltase (P < 0.001) and leucine aminopeptidase (P < 0.05) activities in the infected mice were significantly increased. These data suggest that brush border enzymes are affected differently by reovirus infection.