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Latent infection and measles meningoencephalitis in Syrian hamsters
Abstract:
A strain designated 42-Edmonston was isolated from the brain of a Syrian hamster 30 days after inoculation during the neonatal period with the reference "wild" measles virus strain Edmonston which produced a latent infection accompanied by production of measles antibody and insignificant pathomorphological changes. Intracerebral inoculation with the 42-Edmonston strain of newborn, one day-and 5-7-day-old Syrian hamsters resulted in the development of acute measles encephalitis with typical clinical symptoms and pathomorphological changes. It is suggested that selection and adaptation of a neurotropic measles virus variant probably had occurred in the course of virus persistence in the Syrian hamster brain.
Insights
A novel measles virus strain, 42-Edmonston, was isolated from hamster brains. This neurotropic variant causes acute measles encephalitis in young hamsters, suggesting adaptation during persistent infection.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Neurology
- Pathology
Background:
- Measles virus (MeV) typically causes acute infection.
- Persistent MeV infections in the central nervous system are poorly understood.
- The Edmonston strain is a reference wild-type measles virus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neurotropic potential of a measles virus variant isolated from persistently infected hamster brains.
- To characterize the pathogenicity of the 42-Edmonston measles virus strain in neonatal Syrian hamsters.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of measles virus strain 42-Edmonston from Syrian hamster brains after neonatal inoculation with wild-type Edmonston strain.
- Intracerebral inoculation of newborn, one-day-old, and 5-7-day-old Syrian hamsters with the 42-Edmonston strain.
- Clinical and pathomorphological evaluation of infected hamsters.
Main Results:
- The 42-Edmonston strain was isolated 30 days post-inoculation from hamsters with latent infection.
- Intracerebral inoculation with 42-Edmonston induced acute measles encephalitis in hamsters of various neonatal ages.
- Clinical signs and pathomorphological changes typical of encephalitis were observed.
Conclusions:
- The 42-Edmonston strain exhibits neurotropic properties.
- Measles virus can adapt to become neurotropic during persistent infection in the brain.
- This adapted strain serves as a model for studying measles virus-induced neurological disease.