Life Sciences Commons^™

Small-Animal Models Of Zika Virus, Justin G. Julander, Venkatraman Siddharthan

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection can result in serious consequences, including severe congenital manifestations, persistent infection in the testes and neurologic sequelae. After a pandemic emergence, the virus has spread to much of the new world and has been introduced to many countries outside of endemic areas as infected travelers return to their home countries. Rodent models have been important in gaining a better understanding of the wide range of disease etiologies associated with ZIKV infection and for the initial phase of developing countermeasures to prevent or treat viral infections. We discuss herein the advantages and disadvantages of small animal models …

Evaluation Of Immunomodulators, Interferons And Known In Vitro Sars-Cov Inhibitors For Inhibition Of Sars-Cov Replication In Balb/C Mice, Dale L. Barnard, C. W. Day, K. Bailey, M. Heiner, R. Montgomery, L. Lauridsen, P. K-S. Chan, R. W. Sidwell

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

Compounds approved for therapeutic use and in vitro inhibitors of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) were evaluated for inhibition in the mouse SARS-CoV replication model. A hybrid interferon, interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) B/D, and a mismatched double-stranded (ds) RNA interferon (IFN) inducer, Ampligen® (poly I:poly C124), were the only compounds that potently inhibited virus titres in the lungs of infected mice as assessed by CPE titration assays. When mice were dosed intraperitoneally (i.p.) with IFN-alpha B/D once daily for 3 days beginning 4 h after virus exposure, SARS-CoV replication in the lungs of infected mice was reduced by 1 log10 …

Topical Cidofovir Is More Effective Than Is Parenteral Therapy For Treatment Of Progressive Vaccinia In Immunocompromised Mice, Donald F. Smee, K. W. Bailey, M-H. Wong, M. K. Wandersee, R. W. Sidwell

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

Background.Severe complications may arise as a result of virus dissemination after smallpox (live vaccinia virus) vaccination, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. We developed a new mouse model for studying the effects of antiviral agents on progressive vaccinia virus infections.

Methods.Hairless mice were treated with cyclophosphamide (100 mg/kg/day) every 4 days starting 1 day before vaccinia virus exposure to wounded skin. Primary lesions progressed in severity, satellite lesions developed, and the infection eventually killed the mice.

Results.Topical treatment with 1%‐cidofovir cream (twice daily for 7 days) was much more effective in reducing the severity of primary lesions and the number of satellite …