LA-CROSSE VIREMIAS IN MONGOLIAN GERBILS (MERIONES UNGUICULATIS)

We examined the usefulness of mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus ) as a new animal model for La Crosse virus (LACV) studies. Gerbils we re exposed to LACV by either intramuscular (im) inoculation or exposur e to transovarially infected Aedes triseriatus. Our studies indicate t hat gerbils may be a suitable animal model for LACV infection. Gerbils were susceptible to LACV, survived viral infection, and developed vir emias and neutralizing antibody titers following exposure by im inject ion and by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Moreover, they are attract ive to mosquito vectors. Gerbils have other advantages as laboratory v ertebrate hosts for LACV: they are inexpensive, breed in captivity, an d are usually mild-mannered and easy to handle. Thus, gerbils are a su itable model in the study of LACV pathogenesis as well as of transplac ental and vector transmission.