Development of a hamster model for Chikungunya virus infection and pathogenesis
Autor(es): Bosco-Lauth Angela M, Han Sushan, Hartwig Airn, Bowen Richard A
Resumo: Chikungunya virus is transmitted by mosquitoes - causes severe, debilitating infectious arthritis in humans. The need for an animal model to study the disease process - evaluate potential treatments is imminent as the virus continues its spread into novel geographic locations. Golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) are often used as outbred laboratory animal models for arboviral diseases. Here we demonstrate that hamsters inoculated with chikungunya virus developed viremia - histopathologic lesions in their limbs - joints similar to those seen in human patients. The virus disseminated rapidly - was found in every major organ, including brain, within a few days of infection. Hamsters did not manifest overt clinical signs, - the virus was generally cleared within 4 days, followed by a strong neutralizing antibody response. These results indicate that hamsters are highly susceptible to chikungunya virus infection - develop myositis - tenosynovitis similar to human patients followed by a complete recovery. This animal model may be useful for testing antiviral drugs - vaccines.
Imprenta: PloS One, v. 10, n. 6, p. e0130150, 2015
Identificador do objeto digital: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130150
Descritores: Chikungunya virus - Cytopathology ; Chikungunya virus - Pathogenesis ; Chikungunya virus - Infectious diseases ; Chikungunya virus - Viral infections ; Chikungunya Virus - Virus ; Chikungunya virus - Vaccine ; Chikungunya virus - Immunology
Data de publicação: 2015
