New results for the etiology of extrahepatic biliary atresia in a murine model

Background: In an infectious animal model intraperitoneal infection of newb orn BALB/c nice with rhesus rotavirus (RRV) induced cholestasis leading to extrahepatic biliary atresia. We could show new results concerning the etio logy of EHBA in this model. Methods: The influence of time of infection and the application of RRV eith er prenatal dr to the newborn mice was investigated. Results: We found that only when infected on day 1 post partum, we could in itiate a disease process in the newborn mice. Morbidity is reduced with inc reasing age at time of infection. Thus, mice infected on day 3 post partum did not acquire EHBA. Infection of the mother prepartum did not lead to EHB A in newborn mice. The antibodies received from the mother through the plac enta protected the newborn mice even when they were infected post partum. T he antibodies received through breastfeeding feeding do not even passively protect newborn mice from infection. Conclusion: In conclusion it seems to be a question of the immune-competenc e of the newborn animal wether the hepatotrophic impact of rhesus rotavirus -infection leads to EHBA or not.