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[Pathogenicity of the Lassa virus for laboratory mice]
Voprosy Virusologii
|September 1, 1985
Summary
Standard Lassa virus is highly lethal to young mice. However, Lassa virus enriched with defective interfering particles (DIP) showed no lethality and poor protective activity in mice.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Lassa virus (LASV) is a significant human pathogen responsible for viral hemorrhagic fever.
- Understanding the pathogenicity of LASV strains and the role of defective interfering particles (DIPs) is crucial for developing effective countermeasures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pathogenicity of standard Lassa virus and Lassa virus enriched with DIPs in various mouse models.
- To assess the protective potential of DIP-enriched Lassa virus against standard Lassa virus infection.
Main Methods:
- Intracerebral inoculation of standard Lassa virus and DIP-enriched Lassa virus into different age groups of inbred (C3H/Sn, BALB/C, C57BL/6, AKR) and randombred mice.
- Monitoring of mortality rates and assessment of protective activity of DIP-enriched virus.
Main Results:
- Standard Lassa virus caused 100% mortality in young (≤4 weeks) C3H/Sn mice and 60%-70% mortality in young randombred white mice.
- BALB/C mice were non-susceptible, while C57BL/6 and AKR mice showed variable lethality (30%-60%) with standard Lassa virus.
- Lassa virus enriched with DIPs did not cause mortality in susceptible mice and demonstrated limited protective effects against the standard virus.
Conclusions:
- Age and mouse strain significantly influence susceptibility and mortality following Lassa virus infection.
- Lassa virus enriched with DIPs exhibits a non-pathogenic phenotype and does not confer significant protection against standard Lassa virus challenge.