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Updated: Nov 12, 2025
A Murine Model of Dengue Virus-induced Acute Viral Encephalitis-like Disease
Published on: April 28, 2019
A murine model of dengue virus infection in suckling C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice
Alana B Byrne1,2,3, Ayelén G García1,4, Jorge M Brahamian1,2,5
1Fundación INFANT Buenos Aires Argentina.
Insights
A new mouse model of dengue virus (DENV) infection in young mice reveals age-related disease mechanisms. This research helps understand severe dengue in children, a critical public health issue.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Pathogenesis
Background:
- Dengue poses a significant global public health threat, particularly impacting children.
- Severe dengue manifestations are more common in very young children, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and characterize a murine model of dengue virus (DENV) primary infection in suckling mice.
- To investigate the pathogenesis and age-related immune responses in dengue infection.
Main Methods:
- Primary infection of 3-day-old C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice with DENV-2 NGC via intraperitoneal injection.
- Assessment of clinical signs, liver enzymes, viremia, organ dissemination, and histological changes.
- Analysis of the immune response, specifically T-helper 1 (Th1) bias.
Main Results:
- C57BL/6 mice demonstrated higher susceptibility to DENV-2 infection compared to BALB/c mice.
- Susceptible mice exhibited elevated liver enzymes, prolonged viremia, systemic dissemination, and liver/intestinal histopathology.
- DENV-infected C57BL/6 mice showed a pronounced Th1 immune response bias.
Conclusions:
- A suckling mouse model of DENV-2 infection can reproduce key aspects of human dengue disease, particularly in young children.
- This immunocompetent model offers a valuable tool for studying age-dependent dengue pathogenesis and potential therapeutic strategies.
Abstract:
Dengue is a significant public health concern across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, principally causing disease in children. Very young children are at increased risk of severe manifestations of dengue infection. The mechanism of dengue disease in this population is not fully understood. In this study, we present a murine model of dengue virus primary infection in suckling C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice in order to investigate disease pathogenesis. Three-day-old C57BL/6 mice intraperitoneally infected with DENV-2 NGC were more susceptible to infection than BALB/c mice, showing increased liver enzymes, extended viremia, dissemination to organs and histological alterations in liver and small intestine. Furthermore, the immune response in DENV-infected C57BL/6 mice exhibited a marked Th1 bias compared to BALB/c mice. These findings highlight the possibility of establishing an immunocompetent mouse model of DENV-2 infection in suckling mice that reproduces certain signs of disease observed in humans and that could be used to further study age-related mechanisms of dengue pathogenesis.
