Placental and fetal alterations due to Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus in rats

Histopathological changes in the placentas, embryos, and fetuses of rats inoculated intraperitoneally with the virulent Guajira strain of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus were studied by light microscopy and immunoperoxidase methods. Rats inoculated before day 15 of pregnancy showed necrosis and hemorrhages in the embryonic disks. Swelling of cytoplasm and nuclear pyknosis of cyto- and syncytotrophoblastic cells were noted as early as 2 days after inoculation. During weeks 1 and 2 of pregnancy, death of the embryos was always observed 3 to 4 days after Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus inoculation. Placental and fetal damage varied among the specimens. In rats 18 days pregnant and sacrificed 2 days after inoculation, there were some viable fetuses; the placentas showed inflammatory reactions in the mesometrial and decidual vessels. Other rats sacrificed at 3 to 4 days after inoculation showed large placental infarcts with fetal death. Viremia peaked during day 2 after inoculation. Immunoperoxidase stains demonstrated viral antigens present in the decidua, myometrium, and cyto- and syncytotrophoblastic cells. These experiments provide additional data regarding the pathogenesis and structural damage in the placental and fetal tissues caused by Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus.