Pancreatitis of mice infected with encephalomyocarditis virus.

Abstract

Morphologic changes in the pancreas of mice infected with encephalomyocarditis virus were studied to learn of the pathogenesis of viral pancreatitis. Viral crystals with associated cell injury including necrosis were noted in both acinar and islet cells of the pancreas of newborn and adult mice. Pathologic changes included scattered individual or focal cell necrosis of varying degrees of damage of both the acinar and islet cells. Mild to extensive inflammatory cell infiltration and edema were noted. It is suggested that the virus directly invaded the cells of parenchymatous tissue of the pancreas. A possible relationship between the damage noted and diabetes mellitus is discussed.