Virology

Biography

Biography: Shubhada Bopegamage

Abstract

Statement of the Problem: The introduction of cell culture techniques has simplified the work of Virologists. Scientific history shows us, however, that we cannot study a disease completely without using animal models. Though, humans are the natural hosts for coxsackieviruses B (CVB), mice have been shown to be susceptible. In mice, these viruses induce diseases like those which they cause in humans. The experimental animal models allow investigation at a pathophysiological level where the biological picture and functioning is depicted. Though the closest experimental models for the Enteroviruses and human diseases are maybe chimpanzees, the murine models (mice), are one of the best models for studying coxsackieviruses.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: We studied genetically different mice strains. Permission for the animal work was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Slovak Health University and the State Veterinary and Food Control Authority of the Slovak Republic. Mice were infected with different CVB strains and control mice with PBS by oral gavage. Organs were collected from infected mice/groups and control (mock infected) mice/groups at different days post infection. Organs were fixed for histology and immunohistochemistry in formalin and snap frozen and stored at -80ºC for detection of the viral RNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Findings & Conclusions: Our work showed differences between the oral route and intraperitoneal routes of infection. The differences were mainly in the histopathology of the pancreas, they also depended on the genetic background of the mice. We also showed pancreatitis in challenged pups of mice orally infected dams during gravidity at different times. Our work characterizes and shows the application of our model of the natural ‘oral’ route of infection to understand the pathogenesis of CV infections.