In vivo tropisms and kinetics of rat theilovirus infection in immunocompetent and immunodeficient rats

Viral Disease

“…Shedding of RTV in feces from immunocompromised nude rats and immunocompetent (Brown Norway and Fischer 344) rats infected as weanlings was high for the first 2 weeks, with persistent shedding in nude rats but not in immunocompetent rats (Drake et al, 2011). RTV persisted in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen of nude rats but not those of immunocompetent rats (Drake et al, 2011). Serum antibody responses in Brown Norway and Spraguee Dawley were significantly higher than those in Fischer 344 and CD1 rats (Drake et al, 2011).…”

“…Four-week-old SpragueeDawley rats were more susceptible than CD rats to RTV1 infection in that they shed virus in feces for longer (56 days vs. 14 days) and seroconverted earlier (14 days vs. 56 days), though lesions were not seen in either rat strain (Drake et al, 2008). Shedding of RTV in feces from immunocompromised nude rats and immunocompetent (Brown Norway and Fischer 344) rats infected as weanlings was high for the first 2 weeks, with persistent shedding in nude rats but not in immunocompetent rats (Drake et al, 2011). RTV persisted in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen of nude rats but not those of immunocompetent rats (Drake et al, 2011).…”

Biology and Diseases of Rats

“…While experimental intracranial inoculations with the MHG virus resulted in paralysis in suckling rats (McConnell et al, 1964), this finding was not reproduced with RTV (Drake et al, 2011). No clinical signs have been associated with either experimental inoculation or natural infection, and the virus does not spread beyond the intestinal tract.…”

“…In addition, PCR tests are available for detection of active infections, with feces or intestine serving as optimal samples for testing (Drake et al, 2011). In addition, PCR tests are available for detection of active infections, with feces or intestine serving as optimal samples for testing (Drake et al, 2011).…”

Development of a duplex real-time RT-PCR for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus and rat theilovirus

“…Viral diagnosis is based commonly on antigen or antibody detection. Serologic methods such as multiplexed fluorescence immuneassay (MFIA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) has typically been used to diagnose TMEV and RTV infections in rodents (Drake et al, 2011;Khan et al, 2005;Laborde et al, 2008;Lipton et al, 2001;Pritchett-Corning et al, 2009). However, serologic assays cannot detect TMEV and RTV infections directly in immunodeficient strains of rodents that do not generate a humoral immune response, and the time required for host seroconversion in immunocompetent rodents may prevent rapid definitive diagnosis by serologic testing during an epizootic.…”