CYTOMEGALOVIRUS-INFECTION IN THE SUBMANDIBULAR AND PAROTID SALIVARY-GLANDS OF AN AFRICAN GRASS MOUSE (ARVICANTHUS-DEMBEENSIS)

The submandibular and parotid glands of one of five specimens of Afric an grass mice (Arvicanthus dembeensis) were found to be infected with cytomegaloviruses, producing a profound cytomegaly in certain cells at the juncture of secretory endpieces and intercalated ducts. These cyt omegalic cells tended to have multiple nuclei, many of which contained a characteristic reticular inclusion. The viruses appeared to arise i n association with the intranuclear inclusions, then passed through th e nuclear envelope to the cytoplasm where they budded into Golgi saccu les or into small vacuoles, presumably of Golgi origin. Fusion of smal l virus-carrying vacuoles led to the formation of large vacuoles conta ining a plethora of viruses. Viruses were liberated into gland lumina via fusion of the vacuoles with the luminal plasmalemma. Fusion of vac uoles with dehiscent ones resulted in a form of chain exocytosis. The development of cytomegaloviruses in salivary glands may differ in deta ils in a species-specific manner.