Abstract
The pathogenicity of a small plaque mutant virus designated as MHV-2-CC derived from virulent mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), was tested in athymic and euthymic mice. After intraperitoneal inoculation with 2×105 PFU athymic nude mice died between 18 and 90 days postinoculation with degeneration and necrosis of hepatocytes, persistently active inflammatory response and proliferation of connectie tissue. The liver lesions were initiated with single cell necrosis or small necrotic foci, and viral antigen or virions were detectable within hepatocytes as early as 48 hr postinoculation. Virus titers in the liver were increased until 96 hr postinoculation and declined thereafter, but 103 PFU/0.2 g or more of the virus were still demonstrable 3 weeks after infection. The system of MHV-2-CC and athymic nude mice may provide a useful model for active chronic hepatitis in man.
