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Mongolia Gerbils Are Broadly Susceptible to Hepatitis E Virus
Wenjing Zhang1, Yasushi Ami2, Yuriko Suzaki2
1Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan.
Viruses
|June 24, 2022
Summary
Mongolia gerbils are susceptible to a wide range of hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes, including HEV-5 and rat HEV, making them a valuable small-animal model for HEV research and vaccine evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Animal Models
Background:
- Limited small-animal models exist for studying hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection.
- Mongolia gerbils are known to be susceptible to HEV genotypes 1, 3, and 4.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the infectivity of various HEV genotypes in Mongolia gerbils.
- To assess the suitability of Mongolia gerbils as a small-animal model for HEV infection.
Main Methods:
- Mongolia gerbils were inoculated with HEV-1, HEV-3, HEV-4, HEV-5, HEV-7, HEV-8, rabbit HEV, and rat HEV.
- Viral RNA levels in feces and livers, and serum anti-HEV IgG antibody titers were measured.
- Infectivity of fecal HEV to naive gerbils and transmission via oral inoculation were assessed.
Main Results:
- HEV-5 and rat HEV replicated effectively, with high viral RNA and antibody titers, and were infectious to naive gerbils.
- HEV-1, HEV-8, HEV-3, and HEV-7 showed limited replication and infectivity.
- Rabbit HEV did not cause any infection signs.
Conclusions:
- Mongolia gerbils exhibit broad susceptibility to HEV, with sensitivity varying by genotype.
- Mongolia gerbils serve as a suitable small-animal model for HEV-A and HEV-C1, useful for cross-protection studies and vaccine efficacy evaluation.
