Herpesvirus sylvilagus infects both B and T lymphocytes in vivo.
Herpesvirus sylvilagus infection of cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) was studied as a model of herpesvirus-induced lymphoproliferative disorders. Leukocytosis, splenomegaly, proliferation of T cells and virus production by lymphocytes characterized this infectious mononucleosis-like disease. Approximately two copies of circular herpesvirus sylvilagus genomes per cell were detected in spleen cells at 2 weeks postinfection, and circular genomes could still be observed after 4 months. Circular viral genomes were found in both B and T lymphocytes. Small amounts of linear viral DNA (0.1 to 0.3 copies per cell) were also detected in both B and T cells. These results indicated that the virus did not replicate in the majority of lymphocytes in vivo. Herpesvirus sylvilagus infection in cottontail rabbits could be useful as a model for studying the complex virus-host relationships of lymphotropic herpesviruses and perhaps as an animal model for Epstein-Barr virus infection in humans.
Kramp
W J
WJ
Medveczky
P
P
Mulder
C
C
Hinze
H C
HC
Sullivan
J L
JL
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D004270:DNA, Circular / Q000032:analysis; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000254:growth & development*; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D011817:Rabbits / Q000382:microbiology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D014779:Virus Replication
D004270:DNA, Circular; D004279:DNA, Viral