Effect of concurrent cytomegaloviral infection and undernutrition on the growth and immune response of mice.
Mice were inoculated with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) passaged in cell cultures within 24 h of birth and subsequently fed an adequate or a low-protein diet after weaning; increases in body weight, the blastogenic response of lymphocytes to T and B cell mitogens, and the capability to produce antibodies to T or B cell-dependent antigens were observed for the first 28 to 42 days of life. Neonatal infection resulted in immunosuppression and retarded physical growth through the first 4 weeks of life. After weaning (3 weeks), the effect of MCMV infection of well-nourished mice paralleled the effect of undernutrition in uninfected animals. Undernutrition and MCMV infection functioned synergistically.
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice / Q000254:growth & development*; D011488:Protein Deficiency / Q000150:complications*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology