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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #315110
Title: Animal models of respiratory syncytial virus infection and disease

Author
item Sacco, Randy
item DURBIN, RUSSEL - Rutgers University
item DURBIN, JOAN - Rutgers University

Submitted to: Current Opinion in Virology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/12/2015
Publication Date: 8/1/2015
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/61607
Citation: Sacco, R.E., Durbin, R.K., Durbin, J.E. 2015. Animal models of respiratory syncytial virus infection and disease. Current Opinion in Virology. 13:117-122. doi: 10.1016/j.coviro.2015.06.003.

Interpretive Summary: In this review, various animal models of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease are critically reviewed. Many studies have focused on lab animal models of RSV, which have a number of limitations for reproducing the disease seen in humans. In the present study, the authors review the animal models currently available and suggest a number of advantages to the use of calves as a model species in the study of RSV. These include similarities in seasonality of infection, in age-dependent susceptibility to infection, in signs of infection, and in changes observed in tissues following infection.

Technical Abstract: The study of human respiratory syncytial virus pathogenesis and immunity has been hampered by its exquisite host specificity, and the difficulties encountered in adapting this virus to a murine host. The reasons for this obstacle are not well understood, but appear to reflect, at least in part, the inability of the virus to block the interferon response in any but the human host. This review addresses some of the issues encountered in mouse models of respiratory syncytial virus infection, and describes the advantages and disadvantages of alternative model systems.