Susceptible adult murine model for Junin virus

The adult mouse model had been considered resistant to Junin virus (JV) infection. However, we found that C3H/HeJ murine strain proved highly susceptible up to 5 months of age to intracerebral inoculation with the prototype XJ JV strain, showing neurological signs and 80-90% mortality within 13 days. Neutralizing antibodies (Nt Ab) were absent, but low immunofluorescent Ab levels (1:5) were detected as from day +7. The virus could only be rescued by coculture of brain samples with Vero cells. Histopathological findings were consistent with the suckling mouse model and with a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction. XJ inoculation by extraneural routes failed to cause disease, however, it induced Nt Abs. Ic infection with XJCL3 strain of JV attenuated for man and guinea pig, but not for mouse, induced high Nt Ab levels but not mortality. In either case, mice resisted ic XJ challenge. Thus, C3H/HeJ is the first adult mouse model susceptible to JV.