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Updated: Dec 10, 2025
Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia
Published on: June 28, 2018
Bat mammalian orthoreoviruses cause severe pneumonia in mice
Ren-Di Jiang1, Bei Li2, Xiang-Ling Liu2
1CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
Mammalian orthoreovirus (MRV) infections are ubiquitous in mammals. Increasing evidence suggests that some MRVs can cause severe respiratory disease and encephalitis in humans and other animals. Previously, we isolated six bat MRV strains. However, the pathogenicity of these bat viruses remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the host range and pathogenicity of 3 bat MRV strains (WIV2, 3 and 7) which represent three serotypes. Our results showed that all of them can infect cell lines from different mammalian species and displayed different replication efficiency. The BALB/c mice infected by bat MRVs showed clinical symptoms with systematic infection especially in lung and intestines. Obvious tissue damage were found in all infected lungs. One of the strains, WIV7, showed higher replication efficiency in vitro and vivo and more severe pathogenesis in mice. Our results provide new evidence showing potential pathogenicity of bat MRVs in animals and probable risk in humans.
Insights
Bat mammalian orthoreoviruses (MRVs) can infect various mammalian cells and cause disease in mice, particularly affecting the lungs and intestines. One strain, WIV7, demonstrated higher replication and more severe illness, highlighting potential risks to animals and humans.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Zoonotic Diseases
- Comparative Pathology
Background:
- Mammalian orthoreoviruses (MRVs) are widespread in mammals.
- Emerging evidence links MRVs to severe respiratory and neurological diseases in humans and animals.
- The pathogenicity of bat-derived MRV strains remains largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the host range and pathogenicity of three distinct bat MRV strains (WIV2, WIV3, WIV7).
- To assess the in vitro replication efficiency and in vivo pathogenesis of these bat MRV isolates.
- To determine the potential zoonotic risk posed by bat MRVs.
Main Methods:
- Infection of diverse mammalian cell lines to assess host range and replication.
- Infection of BALB/c mice to evaluate clinical signs, tissue tropism, and pathogenesis.
- Comparative analysis of viral replication and disease severity among different bat MRV strains.
Main Results:
- All three tested bat MRV strains infected various mammalian cell lines with differing replication efficiencies.
- Infection in BALB/c mice resulted in systemic illness, with significant lung and intestinal involvement and observable tissue damage.
- Bat MRV strain WIV7 exhibited enhanced in vitro and in vivo replication and induced more severe pathogenesis in mice.
Conclusions:
- Bat MRVs possess the capability to infect a broad range of mammalian hosts.
- These findings demonstrate the potential pathogenicity of bat-derived MRVs in animal models.
- The study underscores the probable risk of bat MRVs to human health, necessitating further investigation.
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