Animal models of respiratory syncytial virus infection and disease.

ABSTRACT: The study of human respiratory syncytial virus pathogenesis and immunity has been hampered by its exquisite host specificity, and the difficulties encountered in adapting this virus to a murine host. The reasons for this obstacle are not well understood, but appear to reflect, at least in part, the inability of the virus to block the interferon response in any but the human host. This review addresses some of the issues encountered in mouse models of respiratory syncytial virus infection, and describes the advantages and disadvantages of alternative model systems.

SUBMITTER: Sacco RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4699663 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature