The hamster as an animal model for eastern equine encephalitis- and its use in studies of virus entrance into the brain

Slobodan Paessler, Patricia Aguilar, Michael Anishchenko, Hui Qun Wang, Judith Aronson, Gerald Campbell, Ann Sophie Cararra, Scott C. Weaver

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) produces the most severe human arboviral diseases in the United States, with mortality rates of 30%-70%. Vasculitis associated with microhemorrhages in the brain dominates the pathological picture in fatal human eastern equine encephalitis, and neuronal cell death is detectable during the late stage of the disease. We describe use of the golden hamster to study EEEV-induced acute vasculitis and encephalitis. In hamsters, EEEV replicates in visceral organs, produces viremia, and penetrates the brain. The pathological manifestations and antigen distribution in the brain of a hamster are similar to those described in human cases of EEEV.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2072-2076
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
Volume189
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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