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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG35-55) Induced Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) in C57BL/6 Mice
Published on: April 15, 2014
EXPERIMENTAL MUMPS MENINGITIS
1Laboratories of The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research.
Abstract:
It has been shown that an aseptic meningitis of 3 to 5 days duration and favorable prognosis can be induced in cats by intrathecal injection of sterile saliva filtrate from early cases of parotitis, and that such a meningitis can be transmitted to other cats by injecting the cerebrospinal fluid in the same manner. The cerebrospinal fluid does not, at any time, contain bacteria which grow with the ordinary culture methods.
Insights
Researchers induced aseptic meningitis in cats using sterile saliva filtrate from parotitis cases. This meningitis, characterized by a favorable prognosis, was transmissible via cerebrospinal fluid, which remained bacteria-free.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathology
Background:
- Parotitis, or mumps, can cause neurological complications.
- Aseptic meningitis is inflammation of the meninges not caused by bacterial infection.
- Understanding the transmission and etiology of meningitis is crucial for animal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential for inducing aseptic meningitis in cats.
- To determine if the induced meningitis is transmissible between feline subjects.
- To identify the causative agent of this experimentally induced meningitis.
Main Methods:
- Intrathecal injection of sterile saliva filtrate from early parotitis cases in cats.
- Subsequent injection of cerebrospinal fluid from affected cats into naive cats.
- Bacteriological culture of cerebrospinal fluid to assess for microbial presence.
Main Results:
- Aseptic meningitis with a 3-5 day duration and favorable prognosis was successfully induced in cats.
- The induced meningitis was transmissible to other cats via cerebrospinal fluid.
- Cerebrospinal fluid samples remained consistently bacteria-free throughout the study.
Conclusions:
- Sterile saliva filtrate from parotitis cases can induce transmissible aseptic meningitis in cats.
- The causative agent is non-bacterial and likely viral or other acellular infectious agent.
- This model provides insights into the pathogenesis of certain types of meningitis.
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