Murine experimental models for studying the pathogenesis of coxsackieviruses

Understanding the pathogenesis of communicable diseases often involves animal models. Mouse models are studied by researchers to achieve a better understanding of the relationship between the biological, physiochemical, and antigenic properties of the infectious agent, as well as the histopathological, immunological, and functional changes in the living system and the target organs, in short, the pathophysiological processes that the communicable agents bring about. The long-term objectives of the in vivo studies are important from a medical point of view, as they represent faithful (reliable and similar) human responses, which enhance the development of diagnostics, treatment, and measures for preventing the spread of the disease. Our work is devoted to the murine models used for understanding the pathogenesis of coxsackieviruses. We describe different mouse models used for studying the diseases caused by coxsackieviruses and the immune responses in different mouse models.  We then shortly elucidate experiences from our laboratory related to the oral route of infection, and compare the similarities and differences we found in this model. Keywords: pathogenesis; coxsackievirus; murine models.