Download Transmission of human respiratory syncytial virus in ferrets

Transmission of human respiratory
syncytial virus in ferrets
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ABSTRACT:
Authors:
de Waal, Leon(1)
van Amerongen, Geert(2)
Veldhuis Kroeze, Edwin(3)
Pohl, Marie(4)
de Swart, Rik(5)
Osterhaus, Ab(6)
Viroclinics Biosciences bv,
3029 AK Rotterdam,
The Netherlands(1)(2)(3)(4)
Department of Viroscience,
Erasmus MC,
3015 CN Rotterdam,
The Netherlands(5)
Research Centre for Emerging
Infections and Zoonoses,
University of Veterinary
Medicine,
30559 Hannover,
Germany(6)
Background:
Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is an important cause of
severe respiratory tract disease in the community and in hospital
settings, especially in wards with immunocompromised patients.
Generally, it is believed that the virus is unstable, but still the virus
can maintain its infectivity for several hours and can be transmitted
through droplets and direct contact. Factors that contribute to
spread of the virus remain elusive. None of the existing animal
models are suitable for studying transmission of HRSV. We have
recently described ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) as a novel animal
model for studying HRSV infections in the immunocompetent and
immunocompromised host. Ferrets can be productively infected with
HRSV. In addition, immunocompromised ferrets are more susceptible
and show, like immunocompromised patients, increased viral loads
and prolonged virus shedding.
Method:
A group of six immunocompetent male ferrets were inoculated
intranasally with 106 50% TCID50 of a low-passage wild-type strain
of HRSV-A. From day 3 to day 6 post infection (DPI) these ferrets were
brought into direct contact with six naïve immunocompetent ferrets
and six naïve immunocompromised ferrets. Throat and nose swabs
were collected to determine the Virus loads in the respiratory tract by
quantitative virus culture and qPCR.
Results:
We observed transmission of HRSV in both the immunocompetent as
well as the immunocompromised contact ferrets.
Interpretation:
The HRSV ferret model can be used to study the contribution of host
and viral factors to the transmission of HRSV and this model can
potentially be used to evaluate strategies for prevention and control
of nosocomial transmission.