Growth Curve Studies of the Suckling Mouse Cataract Agent in Individual Compartments of the Eye ∗

Abstract

Summary

The suckling mouse cataract agent (SMCA) consistently causes cataracts, retinitis, and posterior uveitis in intracerebrally inoculated suckling mice. Sequential studies were performed of the level of virus infection in several compartments of eyes dissected at regular intervals following inoculation. The time of appearance of infection in the lens, retina, and posterior uveal tissues was closely correlated with the time of onset of pathologic changes. Peak levels of infection coincided with maximum inflammation in the retina and uvea. The decline of infection in these tissues was also correlated with the resolution of inflammation. However, virus content of the lens declined at a time when lens disease continued to progress. The incidence of eye infection detected by viral studies was identical to that observed by clinical and histopathological studies. The SMCA system appears to provide a useful model for the study of intraocular infection.