Virus Induced Aplastic Crisis in Mice

Following infection with Coxsackie B₄ virus, 2 inbred strains of mice, NZB/B1 with autoimmune hemolytic anemia and CBA/T6 without hematologic disorder, developed changes in peripheral blood and in bone marrow similar to those described in aplastic crisis in man. A marked decrease or complete disappearance of reticulocytes from the peripheral blood was associated with a decrease in the total number of red cell precursors in the bone marrow. Both findings were temporary; recovery was spontaneous. The hematologic findings were independent of both age and sex in the CBA/T6 animals. By contrast, in the NZB/B1 strain only females between the ages of 4-8 months developed hematologic abnormalities.

The etiologic relationship that has been established between Coxsackie B₄ virus infection and aplastic crisis in the test mice suggests that viral agents may play an etiologic role in the pathogenesis of aplastic crisis in man.