Abstract: Using indirect immunofluorescent assay(IFA) to detect specific antibodies to MCMV in experimentally infected CBA mice, it was found that anti-MCMV antibodies could be detected 7 days postinfection, and reached its highest peak 28 days postinfection, then gradually decreased after 105 days. Kunming mice had the similar pattern, but because of their high natural infection rate in the control group, the high titers of specific antibodies might reflect the secondly response to MCMV infection. Our results indicated that IFA could be used for early diagnosis of MCMV infection.

Key words: "murine cytomegalovirus(MCMV), experimental infection, antibody response "