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Murine Astrovirus Infection and Transmission in Neonatal CD1 Mice
Susan R Compton1, Carmen J Booth2, James D Macy3
1Section of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University;,
Abstract:
Murine astrovirus (MuAstV) is a recently identified, widespread infection among laboratory mice. Our goal was to determine the duration of MuAstV infection, susceptibility of pups, and efficacy of soiled-bedding sentinels and environmental monitoring. Eight CD1 dams and their litters of 3-d-old pups and 8 CD1 dams and their litters of 13-d-old mice were inoculated orally with MuAstV. Neither dams nor offspring demonstrated any clinical signs, and MuAstV had little to no effect on weight gain in pups. MuAstV RNA was detected in feces from 15 of the 16 dams through postnatal day (PND) 21, and 9 dams were still shedding MuAstV at PND 42. MuAstV RNA was highest in intestines of mice. Low levels of MuAstV RNA were sporadically detected in the spleen, liver, and kidney. MuAstV was detected in 97% of feces from 3- to 9-wk-old mice born to infected dams. Several weanlings became pregnant, and intestines from their pups were MuAstV-negative at PND 0 through 5. Weekly swabs of cages housing MuAstV-infected mice were MuAstV-positive through PND 42. Swabs of the rear exhaust manifold of the ventilated rack were MuAstV-positive at 21 through 56 d after inoculation. In addition, 98% of sentinels that received soiled bedding from dams and their litters and 83% of sentinels that received soiled bedding from weaned mice were MuAstV-positive. Feces from most sentinels exposed to soiled bedding that had been stored for 1, 2 or 3 wk before addition of the sentinels were MuAstV-positive.
Insights
Murine astrovirus (MuAstV) infection persists for weeks in mice, spreading via soiled bedding. Environmental monitoring and sentinels effectively detect this widespread laboratory mouse virus.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Laboratory Animal Science
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Murine astrovirus (MuAstV) is an emerging pathogen in research settings.
- Understanding MuAstV transmission dynamics is crucial for maintaining disease-free laboratory animal colonies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the duration of MuAstV shedding in dams and pups.
- To assess the susceptibility of different age groups to infection.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of soiled-bedding sentinels and environmental monitoring for MuAstV detection.
Main Methods:
- Oral inoculation of CD1 dams and their litters (3-day-old and 13-day-old pups) with MuAstV.
- Collection and analysis of fecal, intestinal, and organ samples for MuAstV RNA.
- Environmental sampling using cage swabs and ventilated rack exhaust manifolds.
- Sentinel mouse exposure to soiled bedding from infected animals.
Main Results:
- MuAstV RNA was detected in dams up to postnatal day (PND) 42, with highest viral loads in the intestines.
- Pups born to infected dams showed high rates of fecal shedding (97%) from 3 to 9 weeks of age.
- Environmental swabs and soiled-bedding sentinels demonstrated high detection rates, even with stored bedding.
- No significant clinical signs or effects on pup weight gain were observed.
Conclusions:
- MuAstV establishes persistent infections in mice with prolonged shedding periods.
- Soiled-bedding sentinels and environmental monitoring are highly effective for detecting MuAstV in laboratory settings.
- Early-life MuAstV infection does not appear to cause overt disease but can lead to widespread shedding.
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