Acute Hendra virus infection: Analysis of the pathogenesis and passive antibody protection in the hamster model

Journal Article · Sun May 10 00:00:00 EDT 2009 · Virology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virol.2009.03.001· OSTI ID:21357511

Guillaume, Vanessa ^[1]; Wong, K Thong; Looi, R Y ^[2]; Georges-Courbot, Marie-Claude; Barrot, Laura ^[3]; Buckland, Robin; Wild, T Fabian ^[1]; Horvat, Branka ^[1]

---

1. Inserm U758, Human Virology, F-69365 (France)
2. Department of Pathology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
3. Laboratory P4-Jean Merieux, INSERM, Lyon (France)

Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV) are recently-emerged, closely related and highly pathogenic paramyxoviruses. We have analysed here the pathogenesis of the acute HeV infection using the new animal model, golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), which is highly susceptible to HeV infection. HeV-specific RNA and viral antigens were found in multiple organs and virus was isolated from different tissues. Dual pathogenic mechanism was observed: parenchymal infection in various organs, including the brain, with vasculitis and multinucleated syncytia in many blood vessels. Furthermore, monoclonal antibodies specific for the NiV fusion protein neutralized HeV in vitro and efficiently protected hamsters from HeV if given before infection. These results reveal the similarities between HeV and NiV pathogenesis, particularly in affecting both respiratory and neuronal system. They demonstrate that hamster presents a convenient novel animal model to study HeV infection, opening new perspectives to evaluate vaccine and therapeutic approaches against this emergent infectious disease.

• OSTI ID: 21357511
• Journal Information: Virology, Vol. 387, Issue 2; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2009.03.001; PII: S0042-6822(09)00174-3; Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; ISSN 0042-6822
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
BLOOD VESSELS
BRAIN
HAMSTERS
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES
PATHOGENESIS
PROTEINS
RNA
SAFETY
VACCINES
VIRUSES
ANIMALS
ANTIBODIES
BODY
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
DISEASES
MAMMALS
MICROORGANISMS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PARASITES
RODENTS
VERTEBRATES