Induction of severe disease in hamsters by two sandfly fever group viruses, Punta toro and Gabek Forest (Phlebovirus, Bunyaviridae), similar to that caused by Rift Valley fever virus.

Ann F. Fisher, Robert B. Tesh, Jessica Tonry, Hilda Guzman, Dongying Liu, Shu Yuan Xiao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

Adult golden hamsters inoculated subcutaneously with either of two sandfly fever group viruses, Punta Toro and Gabek Forest (Phlebovirus, Bunyaviridae), developed a fulminating fatal illness characterized by hepatic and splenic necrosis and interstitial pneumonitis. Most animals died within three days after infection; this was accompanied by high levels of viremia. Necropsy and histopathologic examination of the infected animals revealed pathologic changes involving multiple organs that resembled those described in Rift Valley fever. These two hamster-phlebovirus systems may serve as alternative animal models for Rift Valley fever and should be useful in studying the pathogenesis of severe phlebovirus infection and for testing potential therapeutic agents.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)269-276
Number of pages8
JournalThe American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene
Volume69
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology
  • Parasitology

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