B-cell and T-cell lymphomas and other associated diseases induced by an infectious DNA viroid-like agent in hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus).

Five epidemics of diffuse, poorly differentiated lymphocytic, immunoblastic, and plasmacytoid lymphoma induced by an infectious, horizontally transmitting viroidlike agent have occurred in two hamster facilities. Incidence summaries and pathologic characteristics of the lymphomas induced in LSH and LVG hamsters are presented. An elevated leukocyte count with a marked increase in neutrophils and a significant decrease in small mononuclear lymphocytes was detected in 5-week-old but not in 10- or 25-week-old LVG hamsters born in the facility contaminated with the lymphoma-inducing agent. Three-week-old LVG hamsters exposed to the contaminated facility showed no similar hematologic change at 5 weeks of age or 5 weeks of exposure. Several associated syndromes, including an intussusception disease, pyelonephritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and body warts associated with the presence of the causative viroidlike agent in the contaminated colonies are described. Details of the epidemiology of the disease, karyology, viral studies, and correlation with several epidemics in other laboratories are presented.