Mononuclear cells in Japanese encephalitis virus infection: changes in cells counts and specific fluorescence
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Abstract:
Progressive reduction in blood cell counts was observed in mice inoculated intracerebrally (ic) with Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus. No changes were observed in the blood cell counts of mice inoculated intraperitoneally (ip). Reduction in cell counts after a transient rise was noticed in lymph nodes of mice inoculated by either route but the cell counts returned to normal in lymph nodes of ip inoculated mice by the 8th day post inoculation (p.i.). JE virus antigen was demonstrated by immunofluorescence in mononuclear cells from the blood, spleen and lymph nodes starting from the 3rd and 4th day p.i. in mice inoculated ic and ip, respectively. The number of fluorescent cells increased as the infection progressed. The number of fluorescent spleen cells uas higher in ip than in ic inoculated mice. Live virus could only occasionally be demonstrated in the cells.
Insights
Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus infection in mice caused a reduction in blood cell counts after intracerebral inoculation. Mononuclear cells in blood, spleen, and lymph nodes showed JE virus antigen, indicating systemic viral spread.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a significant mosquito-borne viral disease.
- Understanding the pathogenesis of JE virus in vivo is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hematological and immunological effects of Japanese encephalitis virus infection in mice.
- To track the dissemination of JE virus antigen in different tissues following inoculation.
Main Methods:
- Mice were inoculated intracerebrally (ic) or intraperitoneally (ip) with JE virus.
- Blood cell counts were monitored.
- Lymph node and spleen cell counts were analyzed.
- Immunofluorescence was used to detect JE virus antigen in mononuclear cells from blood, spleen, and lymph nodes.
Main Results:
- Intracerebral inoculation led to a progressive reduction in blood cell counts.
- Intraperitoneal inoculation did not significantly alter blood cell counts.
- Both inoculation routes caused a transient increase followed by a decrease in lymph node cell counts.
- JE virus antigen was detected in mononuclear cells by day 3 (ic) and day 4 (ip) post-inoculaton, with increasing numbers as infection progressed.
- Higher numbers of fluorescent spleen cells were observed in ip-inoculated mice compared to ic-inoculated mice.
Conclusions:
- Intracerebral JE virus infection causes significant hematological changes in mice.
- JE virus disseminates to mononuclear cells in the blood, spleen, and lymph nodes, irrespective of the inoculation route.
- Immunofluorescence is a sensitive method for detecting viral antigen spread during JE virus infection.