Coxsackievirus B3-induced chronic myocarditis in outbred NMRI mice.

OBJECTIVES: The pathogenesis of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)-induced myocarditis was investigated in adult Han:NMRI mice. The outbred model, in comparison with inbred models, represents better the natural variable susceptibility of the human population. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: We analyzed the replicating virus titer, the antibody response in the acute and chronic phase of disease, the histology of myocardial injury, and the persistence of viral RNA. RESULTS: NMRI mice infected with 5000 plaque-forming units (PFU) of the CVB3 variant "P"D, a lytic variant to human fibroblast lines, showed a peak of virus replication at day 14 and developed a severe acute myocarditis. The chronic myocarditis was characterized by progressive fibrosis, small foci of infiltrates, persistent viral RNA in the heart, and detectable anti-CVB3 IgG production and neutralizing antibody response up to day 98 postinfection. CONCLUSIONS: CVB3"P"D is able to induce chronic myocarditis in NMRI mice. This model provides a method for examining and proving the mechanisms of myocardial pathogenesis and of developing therapeutic strategies.