Hemorrhagic necrosis of the central nervous system. A spontaneous disease of fetal hamsters.

Abstract

During studies of transplacental virus infections in random bred hamsters purchased with timed pregnancies from three commercial dealers, spontaneous hemorrhagic necrosis of the central nervous system was seen in fetuses harvested near term. Ninety-seven pregnant hamsters from three colonies were examined during a 6-month period; this condition was seen in 25 of 41, 19 of 36, and five of 20 litters. Hamsters from another commercial colony were received, housed, and fed under the same conditions, but remained free of the disease. The pathological process was characterized by multiple spreading zones of edema, malacia, and hemorrhage. Lesions were restricted to neural tissues, including the retina and internal ear. Neuroepithelial proliferation with rosette formation, accompanying the destructive process, constituted a striking reparative response. No inflammatory reaction or cytopathic effects suggestive of virus-induced disease were seen. Studies on the cause of this condition were negative at the time when the disease disappeared spontaneously.