Date of Award:

5-2016

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences

Committee Chair(s)

Justin G. Julander

Committee

Justin G. Julander

Committee

Brian B. Gowen

Committee

Kerry A. Rood

Abstract

CHIK is an emerging viral disease that is rapidly spreading around the world and causing significant illness in infected people. This virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms of disease include high fever, rash, joint pain and arthritis-like symptoms. This disease has recently been reported in the United States, mainly as a result of importation from vacationers to areas affected by this disease. The purpose of this research was to model the disease in mice in order to identify intervention strategies that reduce disease in the hope that it will be useful in the treatment of infected humans. To do this we characterized disease in an animal model that supported virus growth and displayed important signs of disease similar to those seen in infected human patients. Mice developed swollen footpads after inoculation of virus into the footpad. Microscopic examination also revealed signs of muscle disease.

The therapeutic interventions we chose to test in the mouse model included mDEF201, GP1681, an IL-6 antibody (ACT) and methotrexate. Disease was either improved, made worse, or was unaffected, depending on the treatment administered. We demonstrated activity of mDEF201 and methotrexate in improving disease in mice, while ACT showed a slight trend towards improvement and GP1681 made the disease worse. The model appeared to be suitable in identifying active compounds, but further research needs to be done to verify these benefits in a clinical setting.

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