Host age and genotypic effects on enterotropic mouse hepatitis virus infection
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Published on: October 7, 2011
Abstract:
Intestinal lesions due to infection with an enterotropic strain of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV-Y) were found to be more severe and wide-spread in BALB/cByJ and Cr1:CD-1(ICR) mice than in SJL mice inoculated at 1 week of age, using nonparametric ranking analysis. Lesions and viral antigen were limited largely to the bowel, but also occurred in the liver and brain of some mice. BALB/cByJ mice developed a particularly high prevalence of brain infection, resulting in mortality after the enteric phase of infection had ceased. MHV-Y antigen was present in neurons, glia and vascular endothelium in a vascular distribution. Cr1:CD-1(ICR) pups inoculated with MHV-Y at 4 or 7 days of age developed severe typhlocolitis, enteritis and encephalitis with moderate mortality. Pups infected at 2 or 3 weeks of age had mild intestinal lesions with minimal alteration of mucosal architecture, no encephalitis and no mortality. These results demonstrate that host age and genotype influence the course of enterotropic mouse hepatitis virus, as has been shown previously with non-enterotropic, respiratory-type strains of mouse hepatitis virus.
Insights
Host age and mouse genotype significantly impact the severity of enterotropic mouse hepatitis virus (MHV-Y) infection. Younger mice and specific strains like BALB/cByJ experienced more severe intestinal and brain disease.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) is a significant pathogen in laboratory mice.
- Enterotropic strains of MHV can cause enteric disease.
- Host factors like age and genetic background are known to influence viral disease outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of host age and genotype on the pathogenesis of an enterotropic MHV strain (MHV-Y).
- To compare disease severity and distribution in different mouse strains and at various ages.
Main Methods:
- Inoculation of BALB/cByJ, Cr1:CD-1(ICR), and SJL mice with MHV-Y at different ages (1 week, 2-3 weeks, 4-7 days).
- Nonparametric ranking analysis to assess lesion severity and spread.
- Histopathological examination and viral antigen detection in various tissues (bowel, liver, brain).
Main Results:
- BALB/cByJ and Cr1:CD-1(ICR) mice showed more severe and widespread intestinal lesions than SJL mice at 1 week of age.
- BALB/cByJ mice exhibited a high prevalence of brain infection, leading to mortality after the enteric phase.
- Younger Cr1:CD-1(ICR) pups (4-7 days) developed severe typhlocolitis, enteritis, and encephalitis with mortality, while older pups (2-3 weeks) had milder disease.
- MHV-Y antigen was detected in the bowel, liver, and brain, including neurons, glia, and vascular endothelium in the brain.
Conclusions:
- Host age and genotype are critical determinants of disease severity and outcome in enterotropic MHV infections.
- Younger age and specific genetic backgrounds (BALB/cByJ, Cr1:CD-1(ICR)) predispose mice to severe enteric and neurological disease.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering host factors in MHV research and disease modeling.
