EXPERIMENTAL INOCULATION OF MICE WITH TRYPSIN-RESISTANT AND TRYPSIN-SENSITIVE AVIAN REOVIRUSES

Groups of sucking Swiss albino mice were inoculated by the intracerebr al (ic), intraperitoneal (ip) or oral route with a trypsin-sensitive a vian reovirus (TR1) or a trypsin-resistant (R2) reovirus. The viruses caused a number of effects, the most severe occurring after ic inocula tion and the least after oral inoculation. They included incoordinatio n and tremors, oiliness of the hair, and retarded growth. Patterns of viral persistence in tissues were similar for the two viruses, with hi gh titres in the brain on days 3 and 6 after ic or ip injection. Both viruses were still present in the brain 21 days after ic injection. No virus was found in any tissue when TRI was given orally. All groups ' 'seroconverted'' except the one infected orally with TRI, but neutrali zation titres were low. The effects resembled those described for mamm alian reoviruses in mice. The results indicate that, for short periods , wild mice may be capable of transmitting avian reoviruses between po ultry flocks. Furthermore, in the production of monoclonal antibodies to avian reoviruses in mice, it is possible that pathological changes will occur. (C) 1997 W.B. Saunders Company Limited.