Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026
Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Infection and Detection
Published on: February 7, 2019
Serologic prevalence of MPV1 in mouse strains in a commercial laboratory mouse colony determined by using VP1 antigen
Emilija Filipovska-Naumovska1, Salleh M Abubakar, Martin J Thompson
1School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Australia.
Abstract:
A mouse parvovirus (designated MPV1f) was identified in a commercial laboratory mouse colony in Australia. The infection had not been detected by using an rNS1 parvovirus ELISA antigen even though the virus was genetically similar to other MPV1 variants reported previously. A recombinant biotinylated protein based on a truncated VP1 protein of the MPV1 strain was produced and used as antigen for ELISA and Western immunoblots to detect virus infection and determine the seroprevalence of infection in a colony of approximately 45,000 mice. Antibody-positive mice were detected in 8 of 11 rooms sampled, indicating that infection was widespread in the facility. Antibody was detected in 16.2% of 1161 sera obtained from 20 strains of mice. Seroprevalence varied among mouse strains, suggesting genetic variation in the susceptibility of mice to MPV1 or in their antibody response to infection, as has been reported previously in experimentally infected mice. Seroprevalence was high in some inbred strains, including DBA/2JArc and the random-bred strains Hsd:NIH and Arc:Arc(s). Antibody was not detected inC57BL/6J strains, and BALB/c strains showed low seroprevalence of MPV1f.
Insights
A novel mouse parvovirus (MPV1f) was identified in Australian lab mice. A new diagnostic method revealed widespread infection, with varying prevalence across mouse strains, highlighting genetic susceptibility differences.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Laboratory Animal Science
- Immunology
Background:
- Mouse parvovirus (MPV) infections are a concern in laboratory animal facilities.
- Previous diagnostic methods, like rNS1 parvovirus ELISA, failed to detect a specific MPV1f variant.
- Understanding the prevalence and strain-specific susceptibility is crucial for maintaining research integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize a novel mouse parvovirus (MPV1f) in an Australian laboratory mouse colony.
- To develop and validate a new diagnostic assay for MPV1f detection.
- To determine the seroprevalence of MPV1f infection across different mouse strains within the facility.
Main Methods:
- Production of a recombinant biotinylated VP1 protein as a novel antigen.
- Development of ELISA and Western immunoblot assays using the recombinant antigen.
- Serological screening of 1161 sera from 20 different mouse strains in a colony of approximately 45,000 mice.
Main Results:
- MPV1f infection was widespread, detected in 8 out of 11 sampled rooms.
- Overall seroprevalence was 16.2% across 20 mouse strains.
- Significant variation in seroprevalence was observed among strains, with high rates in DBA/2JArc, Hsd:NIH, and Arc:Arc(s), and low or undetectable rates in C57BL/6J and BALB/c strains.
Conclusions:
- The study identified a novel MPV1f variant and established a reliable diagnostic method for its detection.
- MPV1f infection is prevalent in this Australian laboratory mouse colony.
- Observed variations in seroprevalence suggest a genetic component influencing mouse susceptibility or immune response to MPV1f.
