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Encephalopathy in suckling mice infected with Kasba (Chuzan) virus
R Yamaguchi1, Y Naitoh, K Uchida
1Faculty of Agriculture, Miyazaki University, Miyazaki, 889-2192, Japan.
Abstract:
Kasba (Chuzan) virus (an orbivirus), strain K-47, produced encephalopathy with severe necrosis in suckling mice inoculated intracerebrally. On day 3 after inoculation with 10(3)TCID50, the mice showed severe focal encephalomalacia and meningitis. On day 4, necrosis had spread to the midbrain, cerebellum and spinal cord. From one day after inoculation, virus was recovered from the brain and the titre rose over the next 3 days. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated viral antigens in the cytoplasm of both degenerate and intact neurons, and ependymal cells in or around necrotic lesions. The study indicated that the virus has an affinity for immature nerve cells in the brains of suckling mice and causes primary encephalomalacia. Since the lesions resembled those of the hydranencephaly-cerebellar hypoplasia syndrome in calves (Chuzan disease), the system described should prove useful in studies on pathogenesis.
Insights
Kasba (Chuzan) virus causes severe brain damage, including necrosis and inflammation, in young mice. This orbivirus shows a preference for immature nerve cells, leading to encephalopathy and providing a model for studying Chuzan disease.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Neuroscience
- Pathogenesis Research
Background:
- Kasba (Chuzan) virus, an orbivirus, is associated with neurological disease.
- The hydranencephaly-cerebellar hypoplasia syndrome in calves shares similarities with observed viral effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuropathogenesis of Kasba (Chuzan) virus in a suckling mouse model.
- To characterize the viral effects on the central nervous system and identify target cells.
Main Methods:
- Intracerebral inoculation of suckling mice with Kasba (Chuzan) virus (strain K-47).
- Clinical observation, viral titration in brain tissue, and immunohistochemical analysis of brain lesions.
Main Results:
- Intracerebral inoculation led to encephalopathy, characterized by severe focal encephalomalacia and meningitis by day 3 post-inoculation.
- Necrotic lesions spread to the midbrain, cerebellum, and spinal cord by day 4.
- Viral antigens were detected in neurons and ependymal cells within and around necrotic areas, indicating tropism for immature nerve cells.
Conclusions:
- Kasba (Chuzan) virus causes primary encephalomalacia in suckling mice, targeting immature neurons.
- The observed lesions and viral tropism suggest this model is suitable for studying the pathogenesis of Chuzan disease.