Effects of antiviral agents on murine cytomegalovirus-induced macrophage dysfunction.

Infection of murine peritoneal macrophages with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) led to disruption of phagocytosis. This alteration of cellular behavior appeared to be an early event in viral replication appearing 24 to 36 h before virus production and 84 to 108 h before cell death. The effects of a variety of antiviral agents on both MCMV replication and MCMV-induced depression of phagocytosis were evaluated in vitro. Although all compounds thought to act by preventing viral DNA replication inhibited MCMV replication in macrophages, none prevented expression of virus-induced alteration of phagocytosis. Cycloheximide at 1 microM blocked viral replication and viral antigen expression and prevented depression of phagocytic activity.