Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
Handling of the Cotton Rat in Studies for the Pre-clinical Evaluation of Oncolytic Viruses
Published on: November 24, 2014
STUDIES OF A MURINE STRAIN OF POLIOMYELITIS VIRUS IN COTTON RATS AND WHITE MICE
1Department of Bacteriology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York.
Abstract:
1. A neurotropic murine virus was isolated by passing poliomyelitis virus (SK strain) from the monkey to cotton rats and white mice. 2. The murine virus has been grown in tissue culture consisting of embryonic mouse brain in ox serum ultrafiltrate. 3. The symptoms and lesions produced by the murine infection compare in all respects with those of poliomyelitis in monkey and man. 4. The murine virus, while highly pathogenic for mice and cotton rats, is non-pathogenic for albino rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits. It possesses limited pathogenicity for rhesus monkeys. 5. Although producing no paralysis in the above mentioned refractory animals, the murine virus may be recovered in active form from neural and extraneural sites of infected albino rats, guinea pigs, and monkeys, but not from rabbits. 6. The identity of the murine and monkey virus is further suggested by cross-neutralization between the murine virus and homologous (SK) and related (Aycock) antipoliomyelitis sera, as well as between homologous and related monkey poliomyelitis virus and antimurine virus sera. 7. Immunization of monkeys with live murine virus, in the form of mouse brain or tissue culture, seems to confer some degree of resistance against subsequent infection with the homologous poliomyelitis monkey virus. 8. The presence of the murine virus in the central nervous system of infected monkeys appears to interfere with the propagation of SK and Aycock poliomyelitis monkey virus in the same animal.
Insights
A new neurotropic murine virus, isolated from poliomyelitis virus, causes polio-like symptoms in mice and rats. This virus shows cross-neutralization with poliomyelitis sera, suggesting its identity and potential for immunization.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Neuroscience
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Poliomyelitis virus (SK strain) is a known neurotropic pathogen affecting humans and primates.
- Understanding viral adaptation and cross-species infectivity is crucial for disease control.
- Previous research focused on primate models for poliomyelitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize a neurotropic virus from poliomyelitis virus in murine models.
- To investigate the pathogenicity and immunological relationship of the isolated murine virus to poliomyelitis.
- To explore the potential of the murine virus for immunization against poliomyelitis.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of a neurotropic murine virus by serial passage of poliomyelitis virus (SK strain) from monkeys to cotton rats and white mice.
- Cultivation of the murine virus in embryonic mouse brain tissue culture.
- Pathogenicity studies in various animal models (mice, cotton rats, albino rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, rhesus monkeys).
- Cross-neutralization assays using murine virus, poliomyelitis virus (SK and Aycock strains), and corresponding antisera.
- Immunization experiments in monkeys using live murine virus and subsequent challenge with poliomyelitis virus.
Main Results:
- A neurotropic murine virus was successfully isolated and adapted to mice and cotton rats.
- The murine virus produced symptoms and lesions comparable to poliomyelitis in monkeys and humans.
- The murine virus exhibited differential pathogenicity, being highly infectious for mice and cotton rats but not for albino rats, guinea pigs, or rabbits.
- Cross-neutralization tests confirmed the antigenic relationship between the murine virus and poliomyelitis virus (SK and Aycock strains).
- Immunization with live murine virus conferred partial resistance in monkeys against poliomyelitis virus infection.
- The presence of the murine virus in the central nervous system interfered with the propagation of poliomyelitis virus in monkeys.
Conclusions:
- The isolated neurotropic murine virus is antigenically related to poliomyelitis virus.
- This murine virus serves as a valuable model for studying poliomyelitis pathogenesis and for developing potential vaccines.
- The findings suggest a potential interference phenomenon between the murine virus and poliomyelitis virus within the host.
