Exacerbation of soft tissue lesions in lead exposed virus infected mice
Pratibha Gupta1, M M Husain, Ravi Shanker
1Virology Laboratory, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, P.O. Box No. 80, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow 226 001, India.
Objective:
To investigate the effect of Lead (Pb) acetate exposure on Semliki forest virus (SFV) pathogenesis in mice.
Methods:
Different doses (62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg/Kg body weight) of Pb dissolved in normal saline were given to mice by oral intubation in a sub-acute (28 days) and sub-chronic (90 days) regimen followed by SFV infection. Morbidity, mortality, clinical symptoms, mean survival time (MST), changes in body and organ weight, accumulation of lead in soft tissues, virus titre in brain and histopathological alterations were compared between lead exposed and infected groups.
Results:
Early appearance of virus symptoms, increased mortality, decreased MST, enhanced SFV titre and greater tissue damage were observed in lead exposed-SFV-infected mice.
Conclusion:
Pre-exposure to lead increases the susceptibility of mice towards SFV infection. Further studies are suggested in view of the persistence of lead in the environment and the possibility of infection by microbial pathogens.
Insights
Lead acetate exposure significantly increased Semliki forest virus (SFV) susceptibility in mice. Lead-exposed mice showed increased mortality and worsened SFV pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Environmental toxicology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Lead (Pb) is a persistent environmental toxicant.
- Semliki forest virus (SFV) is an emerging viral pathogen.
- The interaction between environmental toxins and viral infections is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the impact of lead acetate exposure on SFV pathogenesis in a murine model.
- To evaluate how different lead exposure durations affect SFV infection outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Mice were exposed to varying doses of lead acetate via oral intubation for 28 or 90 days.
- Following exposure, mice were infected with SFV.
- Key indicators assessed included morbidity, mortality, clinical signs, mean survival time (MST), organ weights, lead accumulation, viral load in the brain, and histopathology.
Main Results:
- Lead-exposed mice exhibited earlier SFV symptom onset and increased mortality rates.
- A decreased mean survival time (MST) was observed in lead-exposed, SFV-infected mice.
- Enhanced SFV viral titers and greater tissue damage were evident in mice pre-exposed to lead.
Conclusions:
- Pre-exposure to lead acetate enhances mouse susceptibility to SFV infection.
- Findings highlight the potential for environmental lead to exacerbate viral disease.
- Further research is warranted due to lead's environmental persistence and potential co-occurrence with microbial pathogens.
