Coxsackie B 4 Viral Nephritis in Mice and Its Autoimmune-Like Phenomena. ∗

Summary

Coxsackie B₄ virus may be highly nephrotropic. It may produce a viral nephritis and provoke an autoimmune-like reaction in the affected renal tissue of the experimentally infected mice. In this study, by means of immunonuorescent technique, both the specific viral antigen and immuno-globulin deposit were demonstrated in the glomeruli of infected mice within 5 to 8 weeks after inoculation with Coxsackie B₄ virus. It is suggested that the virus may play a significant etiologic role in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic renal disease in man, of which disease the etiologic source is often unknown.