Priscott PK, Tyrrell DA. The isolation and partial characterisation of a cytomegalovirus from the brown rat, Rattus norvegicus.
Arch Virol 1982;
73:145-60. [PMID:
6293409 DOI:
10.1007/bf01314723]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
This report describes the isolation and partial characterisation of a cytomegalovirus (CMV) from the wild brown rat (Rattus norvegicus). The isolate was sensitive to ether and heat treatment at 56 degrees C/30 minutes, and had a characteristic herpes virus morphology. In rat embryo fibroblast cells, new virus was detectable by 18 hours after inoculation. The cytopathic effect consisted of a focal rounding of cells which developed to involve the entire monolayer. Inoculation of newborn rats produced mortality of 67-75 per cent which was reduced to 33-46 per cent by intra-peritoneal inoculation or tissue culture passage. Highest virus concentrations were found in the liver and spleen 14 days after inoculation. The virus was also pathogenic (to a lesser extent) to newborn BALB/c mice. It was related to the Osborn strain of mouse CMV by fluorescent-antibody testing but distinct by the serum-neutralisation test.
Collapse