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Susceptibility of mice to acute and persistent measles infection
Abstract:
Intracerebral inoculation of neonatal mice with the Edmonston strain of measles virus produced an acute, lethal encephalitis and thymic dysplasia in susceptible mice. There was an age-related development of resistance to infection. This resistance was strain-dependent and appeared to be associated with the extent of virus growth in the brain. Studies on the genetic basis for susceptibility, using hybrid and backcross mice, revealed that the principal determinant of host resistance to acute infection was a dominant gene or genes which segregated independently of the H-2 complex. A small number of survivors of the acute infection showed persistence of measles virus antigens in the cerebellum and spleen for up to 2 months after inoculation. However, the low frequency of this persistence indicated that, at this time, intracerebral inoculation of neonatal mice with the Edmonston strain of measles virus constitutes a difficult model for the study of persistant measles infection.
Insights
Neonatal mice infected with measles virus developed lethal encephalitis. Host resistance to acute measles virus infection is primarily determined by a dominant gene, independent of the H-2 complex.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Measles virus infection in neonatal hosts can lead to severe neurological complications.
- Understanding the genetic basis of host susceptibility is crucial for disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the susceptibility of neonatal mice to intracerebral measles virus infection.
- To characterize the genetic factors influencing resistance to acute measles encephalitis.
- To evaluate the potential of this model for studying persistent measles infections.
Main Methods:
- Intracerebral inoculation of neonatal mice with the Edmonston strain of measles virus.
- Assessment of survival rates, encephalitis, and thymic dysplasia.
- Genetic analysis using hybrid and backcross mouse strains.
- Monitoring for persistent measles virus antigens in survivors.
Main Results:
- Susceptible mice developed acute, lethal encephalitis and thymic dysplasia.
- Age-related resistance to measles virus infection was observed.
- Host resistance was strain-dependent and linked to viral brain replication.
- A dominant gene(s), independent of the H-2 complex, was identified as the primary determinant of resistance.
- Persistent measles virus antigens were detected in a small proportion of survivors.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal intracerebral measles virus infection causes severe disease in susceptible mice.
- Genetic factors play a significant role in determining host resistance to acute measles encephalitis.
- The current model presents challenges for studying persistent measles infections due to low persistence rates.