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Mousepox in the Netherlands.
Laboratory Animal Science
|December 1, 1981
Summary
Two independent mouse ectromelia virus outbreaks in The Netherlands were identified. The ectromelia virus was isolated and characterized using multiple laboratory methods, showing low virulence in rabbits.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Mouse Pathology
Background:
- Ectromelia virus (ECTV) causes mousepox, a significant disease in laboratory mouse colonies.
- Outbreaks of ECTV can disrupt research and necessitate colony culling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize the causative agent of two independent ectromelia outbreaks in The Netherlands.
- To assess the virulence of the isolated ECTV in a non-rodent model.
Main Methods:
- Virus isolation from affected mice.
- Serological analysis.
- Indirect immunofluorescence for antigen detection.
- Negative contrast electron microscopy.
- Morphological analysis of lesions on chorioallantoic membranes.
- Assessment of cytopathogenicity in mouse cell cultures.
- Dermal inoculation of rabbits to determine virulence.
Main Results:
- Ectromelia virus was successfully isolated and identified in both outbreaks.
- Multiple diagnostic techniques confirmed the viral identity.
- The isolated ECTV exhibited low virulence when inoculated into rabbit dermis.
Conclusions:
- The study confirmed ectromelia virus as the cause of two distinct mouse outbreaks.
- The characterization provides valuable data on ECTV epidemiology and diagnostics.
- Low rabbit virulence suggests species-specific pathogenicity.