Viral pancreatitis: Ultrastructural pathological effects of coxsackievirus B3 infection in newborn mouse pancreas

An electron microscopic study of Coxsackievirus B3-infected newborn mice revealed pathological changes in both the endocrine and exocrine portions of the pancreas. Damage ranged from a focal degeneration in which small areas of individual cells were affected to a widespread necrosis and inflammation in which entire acini and islets were so changed that identification of individual cell types was difficult. Compound membrane-vesicle complexes typical of picornavirus infection and virus particles in various arrays were observed in the acinar cells and macrophages. Fibrosis of the islets and a thickening of the basal laminae of associated capillaries were noted also. Comparisons were made to the pancreatitis caused by this and other group B Coxsackieviruses in both human and experimental animals.