The novel caprine parainfluenza virus type 3 showed pathogenicity in Guinea pigs

Caprine parainfluenza virus type 3 (CPIV3) is one of the important viral respiratory tract agents in goats. The pathogenicity of CPIV3 has been examined in goats but it has not been explored in other laboratory animals. In the present study, an experimental infection of guinea pigs with CPIV3 was performed. The virus-inoculated guinea pigs displayed clinical signs related to the respiratory disease at 2-12 days post inoculation (dpi). Five infected guinea pigs died during 2 and 7 dpi. Apparent gross pneumonic lesions including consolidation and congestion in one or more lung lobes were observed in necropsied and dead animals. Histo-pathological changes in lungs including expansions of the alveolar interstitium, congestion, macrophage infiltration and compensatory emphysema were also observed. Virus was detectable at 2-10 dpi, 2-10 dpi and 2-7 dpi, as detected by virus isolation, real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry staining, respectively. Viremia was also confirmed after CPIV3 infection during 3-7 dpi. The severe pathological lesions and highest viral load were observed before 7 dpi. Viral specific hemagglutination inhibition and neutralizing antibodies were produced from 7 dpi and 10 dpi, respectively, which related to the clearance of virus. The results present here indicated that guinea pig could be an ideal laboratory animal model for CPIV3 studies in the future.