Heartland virus infection in hamsters deficient in type I interferon signaling: Protracted disease course ameliorated by favipiravir.

ABSTRACT: Heartland virus (HRTV) is an emerging tick-borne virus (Bunyaviridae, Phlebovirus) that has caused sporadic cases of human disease in several central and mid-eastern states of America. Animal models of HRTV disease are needed to gain insights into viral pathogenesis and advancing antiviral drug development. Presence of clinical disease following HRTV challenge in hamsters deficient in STAT2 function underscores the important role played by type I interferon-induced antiviral responses. However, the recovery of most of the infected animals suggests that other mechanisms to control infection and limit disease offer substantial protection. The most prominent disease sign with HRTV infection in STAT2 knockout hamsters was dramatic weight loss with clinical laboratory and histopathology demonst

SUBMITTER: Westover JB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5623653 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature