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Murine cytomegalovirus: reactivation in pregnancy
Abstract:
Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) may be rapidly and reproducibly attenuated by passage in tissue culture. A high proportion of CDI mice neonatally infected with the virulent strain of CMV can be shown to have replicating virus in the kidneys for up to 90 weeks p.i. and this high rate of isolation is not altered in pregnancy. A much lower rate of isolation from the kidneys is seen in CDI mice neonatally infected with the attenuated strain. However, this isolation rate was significantly increased during pregnancy and higher titres of virus were recovered.
Insights
Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) can be weakened by cell culture. Pregnant mice infected with attenuated MCMV showed increased virus shedding from kidneys compared to non-pregnant mice.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) is a common viral pathogen in mice.
- Neonatal infection with virulent MCMV leads to persistent viral replication in kidneys.
- Pregnancy does not significantly alter viral shedding rates in mice infected with virulent MCMV.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of pregnancy on viral shedding in mice infected with an attenuated strain of MCMV.
- To compare viral isolation rates between virulent and attenuated MCMV strains in pregnant and non-pregnant mice.
Main Methods:
- Neonatal CDI mice were infected with either virulent or attenuated strains of MCMV.
- Viral isolation from kidneys was performed at various time points post-infection.
- Isolation rates were compared between pregnant and non-pregnant mice.
Main Results:
- A high proportion of mice infected with virulent MCMV showed persistent kidney viral replication up to 90 weeks post-infection.
- Pregnancy did not alter viral isolation rates in mice infected with virulent MCMV.
- Mice infected with attenuated MCMV showed lower initial isolation rates, but pregnancy significantly increased these rates and viral titers.
Conclusions:
- Attenuated MCMV strains exhibit reduced viral shedding compared to virulent strains in non-pregnant mice.
- Pregnancy significantly enhances viral shedding and viral titers of attenuated MCMV in mice.
- These findings highlight the complex interplay between MCMV attenuation, host immunity, and pregnancy status.