Aim To compare the difference between human cytomegalovirus (hCMV)-induced and hyperlipemia-induced in rabbits. Methods The rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: the control group, the group fed on diet containing high lipid, and the group infected with hCMV AD169 strain. In 60th day the arterial tissue speciments were detected by immunohistochemistry, pathological method and electron microscopy. Results The pathological alterations of the arterial intima of the rabbits inoculated with hCMV, were EC swelling, degeneration, necrosis and dropping from intima with adhering fibrin-like materials. Four thrombus-like materials were found in nineteen of arterial speciments. The hCMV antigens were detected in EC and virion-like materials were found in smooth muscle cells. Fibrin-like materials adhering to the surface of ECs were manifested by electron microscopy;The pathological alterations of the arterial intima of the rabbits which fed on diet containing high lipid were atherosclerosis. A large number of red blood cells adhering to the surface of the EC were found by electron microscopy. Conclusion There are some differences in the pathological changes of the intimal injury between the hCMV-induced and hyperlipemia-induced of in Rabbits.