Class
Article
College
College of Science
Department
Biology Department
Faculty Mentor
Brian B. Gowen
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Lymphocyctic Choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is an Old World arenavirus belonging to the family Arenaviridae. The natural host is the common house mouse, with about 5% of the population persistently carrying and shedding the virus. LCMV is spread to humans through the aerosolized excrements of rodents or passed from mother to fetus through the placenta. Some of these cases lead to aseptic meningitis or meningoencephalitis with permanent neurological damage possible. Studies indicate that 2-5% of people are positive for serum LCMV antibodies [1]. LCMV infection has also occurred in organ transplant recipients, with nearly all cases being fatal [2]. There are currently limited treatments for LCMV infection, including the antiviral ribavirin which has associated toxicity. This highlights the need for a suitable animal model to evaluate potential antiviral compounds. This research aims to develop a more robust and consistent lethal mouse model of LCMV infection that can be utilized to assess promising antiviral compounds. An animal disease model that is consistently lethal and produces clinical manifestations seen in the human disease will have a dramatic positive effect on identifying successful treatment. This work is especially critical for fetuses that contract the disease congenitally and immunosuppressed organ transplant recipients at the highest risk to the often fatal effects of an LCMV infection. 1. Mathur G, Yadav K, Ford B, et al. High clinical suspicion of donor-derived disease leads to timely recognition and early intervention to treat solid organ transplant-transmitted lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Transpl Infect Dis 2017; Aug;19(4):e12707.2. Amman BR, Pavlin BI, Albariño CG, Comer JA, Erickson BR, Oliver JB, Sealy TK, Vincent MJ, Nichol ST, Paddock CD, Tumpey AJ, Wagoner KD, Glauer RD, Smith KA, Winpisinger KA, Parsely MS, Wyrick P, Hannafin CH, Bandy U, Zaki S, Rollin PE, Ksiazek TG. Pet rodents and fatal lymphocytic choriomeningitis in transplant patients. Emerg Infect Dis. 2007 May;13(5):719-25. doi: 10.3201/eid1305.061269. PMID: 17553250; PMCID: PMC2738461. Presentation Time: Thursday, 11 a.m.-12p.m.
Location
Logan, UT
Start Date
4-12-2021 12:00 AM
Included in
Development of a Lethal Rodent Model of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Infection for Preclinical Antiviral Drug Testing
Logan, UT
Lymphocyctic Choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is an Old World arenavirus belonging to the family Arenaviridae. The natural host is the common house mouse, with about 5% of the population persistently carrying and shedding the virus. LCMV is spread to humans through the aerosolized excrements of rodents or passed from mother to fetus through the placenta. Some of these cases lead to aseptic meningitis or meningoencephalitis with permanent neurological damage possible. Studies indicate that 2-5% of people are positive for serum LCMV antibodies [1]. LCMV infection has also occurred in organ transplant recipients, with nearly all cases being fatal [2]. There are currently limited treatments for LCMV infection, including the antiviral ribavirin which has associated toxicity. This highlights the need for a suitable animal model to evaluate potential antiviral compounds. This research aims to develop a more robust and consistent lethal mouse model of LCMV infection that can be utilized to assess promising antiviral compounds. An animal disease model that is consistently lethal and produces clinical manifestations seen in the human disease will have a dramatic positive effect on identifying successful treatment. This work is especially critical for fetuses that contract the disease congenitally and immunosuppressed organ transplant recipients at the highest risk to the often fatal effects of an LCMV infection. 1. Mathur G, Yadav K, Ford B, et al. High clinical suspicion of donor-derived disease leads to timely recognition and early intervention to treat solid organ transplant-transmitted lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Transpl Infect Dis 2017; Aug;19(4):e12707.2. Amman BR, Pavlin BI, Albariño CG, Comer JA, Erickson BR, Oliver JB, Sealy TK, Vincent MJ, Nichol ST, Paddock CD, Tumpey AJ, Wagoner KD, Glauer RD, Smith KA, Winpisinger KA, Parsely MS, Wyrick P, Hannafin CH, Bandy U, Zaki S, Rollin PE, Ksiazek TG. Pet rodents and fatal lymphocytic choriomeningitis in transplant patients. Emerg Infect Dis. 2007 May;13(5):719-25. doi: 10.3201/eid1305.061269. PMID: 17553250; PMCID: PMC2738461. Presentation Time: Thursday, 11 a.m.-12p.m.