A quantitative rabbit model of vaccinia keratitis
Sharon Altmann1, Andrew Emanuel, Megan Toomey
1Department of Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|April 9, 2010
Summary
This study determined the optimal viral inoculum for vaccinia keratitis in rabbits. A dose of 10(5) plaque-forming units (pfu) per eye is recommended for future research on this viral eye infection.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Vaccinia keratitis is a significant ocular disease.
- Understanding the dose-response relationship of viral inocula is crucial for disease modeling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of various viral inocula on vaccinia keratitis development in rabbits.
- To identify an optimal viral dose for experimental studies.
Main Methods:
- Female rabbits were infected with different doses (10^4 to 10^7 pfu) of the Dryvax vaccinia virus strain.
- Ocular disease was scored daily for 14 days.
- Viral titers and vaccinia-specific antibody titers were measured.
Main Results:
- Higher viral inocula (≥10^5 pfu) resulted in more severe keratitis.
- A dose of 10^4 pfu caused milder, delayed keratitis.
- Peak viral titers were similar across groups, but delayed in the lowest dose group.
Conclusions:
- The course of vaccinia keratitis in rabbits mirrors human disease.
- An inoculum of 10^5 pfu/eye is optimal for future vaccinia keratitis studies.
