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Published on: July 6, 2013
Pathology of diarrhea due to mouse hepatitis virus in the infant mouse
Abstract:
Two-day-old mice were inoculated orally with a mouse hepatitis virus which had been isolated from a suckling mouse with fatal diarrhea, and a systemic infection was shown to be established, though enterotropism of the isolate was evident. Significant viral growth and syncytium forming lesions were first detectable in the intestines at day 2 postinoculation, followed by the development of focal necrotic hepatitis. The virus titer in both liver and intestine attained maximum levels at days 4 to 5. Death occurred at day 5 or later, and 60 to 100% mice died during the first 2 weeks of life. Before death, some mice showed neurologic signs with high titered viruses recovered from the brain. The necrotizing lesions were also demonstrated in the lung and lymphoid organs.
Insights
Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) infection in young mice causes systemic disease, intestinal lesions, and liver damage. This MHV isolate leads to high mortality and can affect the brain, lungs, and lymphoid organs.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathology
Background:
- Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) is a significant pathogen in laboratory mice.
- Neonatal MHV infections can cause severe disease and mortality.
- Understanding MHV pathogenesis is crucial for animal health and research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the pathogenesis of a specific MHV isolate in neonatal mice.
- To investigate the systemic spread and organ tropism of the virus.
- To determine the mortality rate and clinical signs associated with the infection.
Main Methods:
- Oral inoculation of two-day-old mice with an MHV isolate.
- Monitoring of clinical signs and mortality.
- Viral titration in various organs (intestine, liver, brain, lung).
- Histopathological examination for lesions.
Main Results:
- Systemic infection established with evident enterotropism.
- Viral growth and syncytium-forming lesions in intestines by day 2.
- Focal necrotic hepatitis developed, with peak virus titers in liver and intestine at days 4-5.
- High mortality (60-100%) within 2 weeks; neurologic signs observed terminally with high brain viral titers.
- Necrotizing lesions found in lungs and lymphoid organs.
Conclusions:
- The MHV isolate causes severe systemic disease in neonatal mice.
- The virus exhibits tropism for the intestine, liver, brain, lungs, and lymphoid organs.
- This MHV strain poses a significant threat to young mouse populations, leading to high mortality and multi-organ pathology.
