Assessment of rodents as animal models for Reston ebolavirus.

de Wit, Emmie; Munster, Vincent J; Metwally, Samia A; Feldmann, Heinz · J Infect Dis · 2011

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The emergence of Reston ebolavirus (REBOV) in domestic swine in the Philippines has caused a renewed interest in REBOV pathogenicity. Here, the use of different rodent species as animal disease models for REBOV was investigated. BALB/c and STAT1(-)(/-) mice, Hartley guinea pigs, and Syrian hamsters were inoculated intraperitoneally with REBOV strain Pennsylvania or Reston08-A. Although virus replication occurred in guinea pigs, hamsters, and STAT1(-/-) mice, progression to disease was only observed in STAT1(-)(/-) mice. Moreover, REBOV Pennsylvania was more pathogenic than REBOV Reston08-A in this model. Thus, STAT1(-)(/-) mice may be used for research of REBOV pathogenicity and intervention strategies.

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