MULTIPLE ORGAN INVOLVEMENT DURING EXPERIMENTAL CYTOMEGALOVIRUS-INFECTION IS ASSOCIATED WITH DISSEMINATED VASCULAR PATHOLOGY

Since much of the pathogenesis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is sti ll unknown and vascular involvement may be of importance, a rat model was used to study the nature and course of CMV-induced vascular pathol ogy. In this model, local CMV infection was established by subcutaneou s inoculation of rat-specific CMV (RCMV) in the sole of the foot. Sign s of endothelial activation, including leucocyte adhesion, preceded de tectable RCMV infection of these cells. Ultimately, vasculitis and thr ombotic occlusion were accompanied by diffuse tissue inflammation and necrosis. Generalized RCMV infection was induced in rats by intraperit oneal administration of the virus, which resulted in multiple organ pa thology, including haemorrhages, inflammation, and gastrointestinal ul ceration. RCMV-encoded antigens were found especially in mononuclear i nflammatory cells in the organs and peripheral blood. In addition, mul tiple haemorrhages and disturbed haematological parameters indicated d iffuse intravascular coagulopathy. In conclusion, this study provides evidence for extensive vascular involvement and haematological consequ ences during disseminated CMV infection. The nature and chronology of RCMV-induced pathological vascular events were demonstrated, indicatin g the importance of endothelial damage. These data and further study m ay lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of CMV multiple- organ disease. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.