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Updated: Dec 21, 2025
Influenza A Virus Studies in a Mouse Model of Infection
Published on: September 7, 2017
Prevalence of murine astrovirus in laboratory animal facilities in Japan
Hanako Morita1, Masahiko Yasuda2, Masafumi Yamamoto1
1ICLAS Monitoring Center, Central Institute for Experimental Animals, 3-25-12 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 210-0821 Japan.
Abstract:
To investigate the prevalence of murine astrovirus (MuAstV) in mice in laboratory animal facilities in Japan, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test targeting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) gene was performed on the cecum contents of 1,212 mice (1,183 immunocompetent mice and 29 immunodeficient mice) from 226 facilities. The results showed that 118 (52.2%) of the 226 facilities were positive for MuAstV. Out of the 1,212 mice, 424 (35.0%) were positive. No gross lesions were observed in any of the mice examined. A phylogenetic analysis for 15 selected strains revealed that 13 strains formed one cluster, while two were genetically distant from that cluster. These results suggest that multiple strains are prevalent in laboratory mice in Japan.
Insights
Murine astrovirus (MuAstV) is common in Japanese laboratory mice, with over half of facilities and a third of mice testing positive. Phylogenetic analysis indicates multiple MuAstV strains circulate in these animal populations.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Laboratory Animal Science
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Murine astrovirus (MuAstV) is an emerging pathogen in laboratory mice.
- Understanding its prevalence is crucial for maintaining research integrity.
- Data on MuAstV epidemiology in Japan is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of MuAstV in laboratory mice across Japan.
- To characterize the genetic diversity of circulating MuAstV strains.
Main Methods:
- A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) gene was employed.
- Cecum contents from 1,212 mice across 226 Japanese laboratory animal facilities were analyzed.
- Phylogenetic analysis was conducted on 15 selected MuAstV strains.
Main Results:
- MuAstV was detected in 52.2% of facilities (118/226) and 35.0% of mice (424/1,212).
- No gross pathological lesions were observed in infected mice.
- Phylogenetic analysis revealed two distinct genetic clusters, suggesting the presence of multiple MuAstV strains.
Conclusions:
- MuAstV is highly prevalent in laboratory mouse colonies in Japan.
- Multiple MuAstV strains are circulating, necessitating ongoing surveillance.
- The findings have implications for animal health monitoring and research reproducibility.
