title: The isolation and partial characterisation of a cytomegalovirus from the brown rat, Rattus norvegicus.
abstract: This report describes the isolation and partial characterisation of a cytomegalovirus (CMV) from the wild brown rat (Rattus norvegicus). The isolate was sensitive to ether and heat treatment at 56 degrees C/30 minutes, and had a characteristic herpes virus morphology. In rat embryo fibroblast cells, new virus was detectable by 18 hours after inoculation. The cytopathic effect consisted of a focal rounding of cells which developed to involve the entire monolayer. Inoculation of newborn rats produced mortality of 67-75 per cent which was reduced to 33-46 per cent by intra-peritoneal inoculation or tissue culture passage. Highest virus concentrations were found in the liver and spleen 14 days after inoculation. The virus was also pathogenic (to a lesser extent) to newborn BALB/c mice. It was related to the Osborn strain of mouse CMV by fluorescent-antibody testing but distinct by the serum-neutralisation test.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000382:microbiology; D004986:Ether / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010920:Placenta / Q000382:microbiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats / Q000382:microbiology*; D011911:Rats, Gunn / Q000382:microbiology; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains / Q000382:microbiology; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000382:microbiology; D014771:Virion / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D004986:Ether