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An Early Passage Human Isolate of Kyasanur Forest Disease Virus Shows Acute Neuropathology in Experimentally Infected
Atanu Basu1, Pragya Yadav2, Sharda Prasad1
11 Electron Microscopy & Pathology Group, National Institute of Virology , Pune, India .
Background:
Kyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV) is a tick-borne Flavivirus that causes a severe illness in humans. Disease spectrum can vary from subclinical infection to fatal cases with hemorrhagic complications. The pathology of KFDV remains incompletely understood.
Methods:
This study describes the histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings in experimentally infected infant CD-1 mice with an early passage human KFDV isolate.
Results:
Acute histological changes were primarily seen in the brain. The spectrum of changes included gliosis, inflammatory response, necrosis, neural loss, and syncytium formation in mid and hind brain structures. Microscopic lesions observed in the liver were mainly necrosis and vacuolation of hepatocytes and in small intestine, prominent epithelial cell necrosis. KFDV antigens could be stained by a sensitive immunohistochemical labeling in the same organs.
Conclusions:
Findings from this study are suggestive of neuropathology as the main manifestation of an early passaged human KFDV isolate. Importantly, this suggests that KFDV may be causing primarily a neurologic disease and secondary organ damage could be because of disease pathology per se. The use of primary low passage human isolates and neuropathology profile could also be more apt in developing a challenge model for testing potential antivirals and therapeutic agents.
Insights
Kyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV) primarily causes neuropathology in infant mice, with secondary organ damage. This research aids in developing KFDV challenge models for antiviral testing.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pathology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Kyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV) is a tick-borne Flavivirus causing severe human illness.
- KFDV can lead to fatal hemorrhagic complications, but its pathology is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the histopathologic and immunohistochemical effects of an early passage human KFDV isolate in experimentally infected infant mice.
Main Methods:
- Experimental infection of infant CD-1 mice with a human KFDV isolate.
- Histopathological examination of affected tissues.
- Immunohistochemical staining to detect KFDV antigens.
Main Results:
- Acute histological changes were prominent in the brain, including gliosis, inflammation, necrosis, neural loss, and syncytium formation.
- Liver and small intestine showed lesions such as hepatocyte necrosis, vacuolation, and epithelial cell necrosis.
- KFDV antigens were detected in the brain, liver, and small intestine via immunohistochemistry.
Conclusions:
- Neuropathology is the primary manifestation of early passage human KFDV infection in this model.
- Secondary organ damage may result from the overall disease process.
- This neuropathology profile is valuable for developing KFDV challenge models for antiviral drug screening.
