A non-retroviral RNA virus persists in DNA form

摘要: Infection of adult mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), a non-cytopathic segmented RNA virus, leads initially to generalized infection, followed by clearance and subsequent lifelong immunity. Indirect evidence has suggested that viral antigens may persist in lymphoid tissues during the phase immunological memory, but genomic not been detected previous studies1,2. During search for persistent spleen, we identified LCMV-specific sequences present as DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) over 200 days after infection. In vivo vitro studies revealed reverse transcription into complementary occurred acute infection cells its natural hosts, mouse hamster, other species could be inhibited azidothymidine (AZT), indicating this was mediated endogenous transcriptase activity. These findings reveal surprising new pathway interaction between exogenous viruses retroviral, perhaps host components, results persistence virally determined DNA. We speculate latter function form vaccine.