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Transmissibility of the D variant of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMC-D) in mice
1Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
Transmissibility of the D variant of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMC-D) was examined. Eight-week-old ICR:CD-1 male mice inoculated with 10(5) plaque forming units (PFU)/animal of EMC-D intranasally, orally or intraperitoneally showed marked viraemia and prominent pancreatic lesions at 2 days after inoculation (2 DAI), and excreted virus in faeces from 2 to 8 DAI (virus titre: 10(3)-10(5) PFU/g). Only a small proportion of control mice housed with EMC-D-inoculated mice for 10 days developed viraemia and pancreatic lesions.
Insights
Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMC-D) can infect mice through various routes, causing viremia and pancreatic damage. Limited transmission occurred between infected and control mice, suggesting low environmental spread.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Animal Models
Background:
- Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMC) is an enterovirus known to cause disease in a wide range of hosts.
- The D variant (EMC-D) has been identified, but its transmissibility requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the transmissibility of the EMC-D variant in a mouse model.
- To characterize the clinical and pathological outcomes following EMC-D infection.
Main Methods:
- Eight-week-old male ICR:CD-1 mice were inoculated with EMC-D (10(5) PFU/animal) via intranasal, oral, or intraperitoneal routes.
- Viremia, pancreatic lesions, and viral shedding in feces were assessed at specific time points post-inoculation.
- Contact transmission was evaluated by housing inoculated mice with naive control mice.
Main Results:
- Inoculated mice exhibited significant viremia and prominent pancreatic lesions by 2 days post-inoculation.
- Viral shedding in feces was detected from 2 to 8 days post-inoculation, with titers ranging from 10(3) to 10(5) PFU/g.
- A small percentage of control mice exposed to infected animals developed viremia and pancreatic lesions, indicating limited horizontal transmission.
Conclusions:
- EMC-D is readily transmitted via intranasal, oral, and intraperitoneal routes in mice, leading to systemic infection and organ damage.
- The virus is shed in feces, but direct contact transmission to naive animals appears to be inefficient under the study conditions.