Pathologic Changes of Aorta and Coronary Arteries of Mice Infected with Coxsackie B 4 Virus 1

Abstract

Summary

Coxsackie virus B₄ has been shown to produce significant lesions in the large and small blood vessels of 2-day-old and 12-day-old mice. The Coxsackie virus B₄-infected mice developed focal endothelial cell degeneration and necrosis with subsequent desquamation and denudation of intima of the aorta, coronary arteries, large veins, and other blood vessels.

Viral infections in man are common, but infection of the great blood vessels remains little studied. Viral lesions are suggested as an initiating factor in the production of vascular diseases in man, possibly including atherosclerosis.