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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Influenza | Research

The viral distribution and pathological characteristics of BALB/c mice infected with highly pathogenic Influenza H7N9 virus

Authors: Xiao-Xin Wu, Song-Jia Tang, Shu-Hao Yao, Yu-Qin Zhou, Lan-Lan Xiao, Lin-Fang Cheng, Fu-Ming Liu, Nan-Ping Wu, Hang-Ping Yao, Lan-Juan Li

Published in: Virology Journal | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

The highly pathogenic Influenza H7N9 virus is believed to cause multiple organ infections. However, there have been few systematic animal experiments demonstrating the virus distribution after H7N9 virus infection. The present study was carried out to investigate the viral distribution and pathological changes in the main organs of mice after experimental infection with highly pathogenic H7N9 virus.

Methods

Infection of mice with A/Guangdong/GZ8H002/2017(H7N9) virus was achieved via nasal inoculation. Mice were killed at 2, 3, and 7 days post infection. The other mice were used to observe their illness status and weight changes. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and viral isolation were used to analyse the characteristics of viral invasion. The pathological changes of the main organs were observed using haematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry.

Results

The weight of H7N9 virus-infected mice increased slightly in the first two days. However, the weight of the mice decreased sharply in the following days, by up to 20%. All the mice had died by the 8th day post infection and showed multiple organ injury. The emergence of viremia in mice was synchronous with lung infection. On the third day post infection, except in the brain, the virus could be isolated from all organs (lung, heart, kidney, liver, and spleen). On the seventh day post infection, the virus could be detected in all six organs. Brain infection was detected in all mice, and the viral titre in the heart, kidney, and spleen infection was high.

Conclusion

Acute diffuse lung injury was the initial pathogenesis in highly pathogenic H7N9 virus infection. In addition to lung infection and viremia, the highly pathogenic H7N9 virus could cause multiple organ infection and injury.

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Title: The viral distribution and pathological characteristics of BALB/c mice infected with highly pathogenic Influenza H7N9 virus
Authors: Xiao-Xin Wu
Song-Jia Tang
Shu-Hao Yao
Yu-Qin Zhou
Lan-Lan Xiao
Lin-Fang Cheng
Fu-Ming Liu
Nan-Ping Wu
Hang-Ping Yao
Lan-Juan Li
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Influenza
Published in: Virology Journal / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1743-422X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-021-01709-7

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The viral distribution and pathological characteristics of BALB/c mice infected with highly pathogenic Influenza H7N9 virus

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