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Influenza A Virus Studies in a Mouse Model of Infection
Published on: September 7, 2017
THE VIRUS OF INFECTIOUS FELINE AGRANULOCYTOSIS : I. CHARACTERS OF THE VIRUS: PATHOGENICITY
J T Syverton1, J S Lawrence, R J Ackart
1Departments of Bacteriology and Medicine, The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Researchers isolated a feline virus causing infectious feline agranulocytosis, identified by specific blood changes and inclusion bodies. The virus is highly contagious in cats but not in other tested animal species.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Feline Medicine
- Pathology
Background:
- A novel infectious disease affecting cats was observed.
- The disease presented with distinct hematological abnormalities, including profound leucopenia and lymphocytosis.
- Initial observations suggested a viral etiology, leading to the naming of the condition 'infectious feline agranulocytosis'.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize the etiological agent of infectious feline agranulocytosis.
- To determine the pathogenicity and host range of the isolated virus.
- To describe the pathological changes associated with the disease.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of 32 strains of an infectious filterable agent from affected cats.
- Hematological and cytological analysis of blood and bone marrow.
- Pathological examination of tissues, including lymph nodes, spleen, and gastro-intestinal mucosa.
- Inoculation studies in various animal species (mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, squirrels) via multiple routes.
- Attempts to propagate the virus in developing chick embryos.
Main Results:
- Successful isolation of a virus responsible for infectious feline agranulocytosis.
- Characteristic cytological findings include profound leucopenia, lymphocytosis, reticuloendothelial cell proliferation, and intranuclear inclusion bodies.
- The virus is pathogenic to cats via multiple inoculation routes and can be recovered from various tissues and excretions.
- Extensive testing demonstrated a lack of pathogenicity in mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, and squirrels, even with serial passages and massive doses.
- Attempts to propagate the virus in chick embryos were unsuccessful.
Conclusions:
- A distinct virus causes infectious feline agranulocytosis, characterized by specific hematological and pathological findings.
- The virus exhibits a narrow host range, being pathogenic only to the feline species.
- The findings provide a foundation for understanding and diagnosing this feline disease.
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