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Science 14 March 1969:
Vol. 163. no. 3872, pp. 1216 - 1219
DOI: 10.1126/science.163.3872.1216
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Articles

Thymus-Dependent Lymphocytes: Destruction by Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus

Masao Hanaoka 1, Shiro Suzuki 2, and John Hotchin 2

1 Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
2 Virus Research Laboratory, Division of Laboratories and Research, New York State Department of Health, Albany 12201

Selective destruction of small lymphocytes in the thymusdependent areas of lymph nodes and thymocytes was observed in mice infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. These changes were clearly evident in lymphoid and splenic tissue 3 days after infection and in the thymus by day 7. The destructive changes paralleled growth of the virus in these organs. The findings show that infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus can temporarily cause the equivalent effect of neonatal thymectomy, that is, a "viral thymectomy," which appears to be related to the ability of this virus to cause persistent infection.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
The Thymus in Infants With Perinatal Telencephalic Leukoencephalopathy.
A. Leviton, F. H. Gilles, and G. F. Vawter (1978)
Arch Neurol 35, 377-381
   Abstract »    PDF »
Lassa Virus Isolation from Mastomys natalensis Rodents during an Epidemic in Sierra Leone.
T. P. Monath, V. F. Newhouse, G. E. Kemp, H. W. Setzer, and A. Cacciapuoti (1974)
Science 185, 263-265
   Abstract »    PDF »


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