Glomerulonephritis caused by murine cytomegalovirus. Potentiation by antithymocyte serum.

Murine cytomegalovirus was found to be highly nephrotropic in mice treated with antithymocyte serum. The earliest histologic change was characteristic intranuclear inclusions in the glomerular endothelial cells. This change was followed by an eosinophilic thickening of the glomerular capillary loops. In later stages, proliferation of capsular epithelial cells and glomerular sclerosis was prominent. Tubular casts were present, and perivascular lymphoid aggregations were seen in the medulla and juxtamedullary section 56 days after inoculation. No conspicuous lesions occurred in uninfected mice treated with antithymocyte serum or in untreated infected mice. The possible mechanisms of the renal lesions are discussed.