Dengue-3 encephalitis promotes anxiety-like behavior in mice

Area of Science:

• Neurovirology
• Immunology
• Pathology

Background:

• Dengue virus (DENV) can cause neurological complications, including meningoencephalitis.
• Dengue virus 3 (DENV-3) genotype I is a significant pathogen.
• The central nervous system effects of DENV-3 infection require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate anxiety-like behavior in DENV-3 infected mice.
• To analyze the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and pro-apoptotic markers in the hippocampus following DENV-3 infection.
• To assess neuropathological changes in the hippocampus.

Main Methods:

• C57BL/6 mice were intracranially inoculated with DENV-3.
• Anxiety-like behavior was assessed using the elevated plus maze and locomotor activity with the open field test.
• Hippocampal inflammation (IL-6, TNF-α mRNA), apoptosis (caspase-3), and histopathology were analyzed on day 5 post-infection.

Main Results:

• DENV-3 infected mice exhibited significantly increased anxiety-like behavior.
• No significant difference in locomotor activity was observed between infected and control groups.
• Increased hippocampal expression of IL-6 and TNF-α, elevated caspase-3 levels, and meningoencephalitis with neuronal loss were found in infected mice.

Conclusions:

• DENV-3 infection induces anxiety-like behavior in mice.
• Hippocampal inflammation and neuronal apoptosis are key features of DENV-3 induced central nervous system pathology.
• These findings highlight the neurotropic potential of DENV-3 and its association with neurological dysfunction.