Congenital human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection frequently results in widespread encephalitis and developmental abnormalities of newborn brain. Animal models of congenital HCMV infection are essential for understanding the pathogenesis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in developing central nervous system (CNS). We have recently described a mouse model of CMV infection in developing brain using peripheral inoculation of newborn mice with mouse CMV (MCMV). The virus replication in peripheral tissues was followed by viral spread to CNS, resulting in focal infection and inflammation of developing brain. As a consequence, normal developmental tissue program was altered, resulting in delayed cerebellar morphogenesis and disturbed cellular positioning in brain of MCMV-infected mice. Clearance of infectious virus from brain of newborn mice involved the activation of both innate and acquired immune response.

Temeljne medicinske znanosti