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Influenza A Virus Studies in a Mouse Model of Infection
Published on: September 7, 2017
Morphological and biological properties of a new coronavirus associated with diarrhea in infant mice
Abstract:
Biological and morphological properties of a virus, isolated from the intestine of infant mice with clinical signs of diarrhea and designated as diarrhea virus of infant mice (DVIM), were examined. The first infective virus was detected on the cells 4 hours post infection, followed by rapid release of the virus into the culture fluids. Virus-induced syncytia in BALB/c-3T3 cell cultures caused hemadsorption at 4 degrees C and viral antigens were shown to be located in the cytoplasm of the syncytia by immunofluorescent techniques. By scanning electron-microscopy, budding virus-like particles were detected on the surface of virus-induced syncytia. Morphologically the virus was shown to be enveloped and approximately 100 nm in diameter. Two types of projections were demonstrated, one type of projection was club-shaped, 20 nm in length and the other type was small, granular, 5 nm in length. The latter type of projection might be the basal part of the club-shaped type and related to the hemagglutinating activity.
Insights
Diarrhea virus of infant mice (DVIM) was isolated and characterized. This enveloped virus, approximately 100 nm in diameter, exhibits hemagglutinating activity and replicates rapidly in cell cultures.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Infant mice exhibiting diarrhea were found to harbor a novel virus.
- Understanding the properties of this virus is crucial for diagnosing and managing infant gastroenteritis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the biological and morphological properties of the newly isolated diarrhea virus of infant mice (DVIM).
Main Methods:
- Virus isolation from infected infant mouse intestines.
- Cell culture infection assays (BALB/c-3T3 cells).
- Hemadsorption assays at 4°C.
- Immunofluorescent techniques for antigen localization.
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for particle visualization.
Main Results:
- DVIM replicated rapidly in cell cultures, with initial detection at 4 hours post-infection.
- Virus-induced syncytia exhibited hemadsorption and contained viral antigens in the cytoplasm.
- SEM revealed budding virus-like particles on syncytia surfaces.
- Morphological analysis showed an enveloped virus, ~100 nm in diameter, with distinct club-shaped and granular projections.
Conclusions:
- DVIM is an enveloped virus with unique morphological features, including projections potentially linked to hemagglutination.
- The virus replicates efficiently in susceptible cell lines, forming syncytia.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate DVIM's role in infant diarrhea and its pathogenic mechanisms.
