Assessment of rodents as animal models for Reston ebolavirus

J Infect Dis. 2011 Nov;204 Suppl 3(Suppl 3):S968-72. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jir330.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cricetinae
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Ebolavirus / pathogenicity*
  • Female
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / virology*
  • Liver / virology
  • Lung / virology
  • Mesocricetus
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Knockout
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Spleen / virology
  • Time Factors
  • Viremia
  • Virulence

Substances

  • STAT1 Transcription Factor
  • Stat1 protein, mouse