| Popis: |
Weanling mice infected with the neurotropic JHM strain of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), a coronavirus, develop an acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis [1]. Demyelination occurs as a result of virus-induced destruction of oligodendrocytes [6]. The severity of the myelitis is related to virus dose, inoculation route, age, and strain of mice [9]. Further, the manifestation of the disease is significantly altered by inoculation of temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants of MHV [3]. The attenuated viruses produce fewer fatalities, while retaining the ability to destroy oligodendrocytes. This report describes the morphologic changes leading to acute and recurrent demyelination in the spinal cord of mice infected with wild type and ts mutants of MHV. |
