Link to the University of Pittsburgh Homepage
Link to the University Library System Homepage Link to the Contact Us Form

Characterization of the Humoral Immune Response in Rats and Non-human Primates Exposed to Aerosolized Virulent Rift Valley Fever Virus

Caroline, Amy L. (2013) Characterization of the Humoral Immune Response in Rats and Non-human Primates Exposed to Aerosolized Virulent Rift Valley Fever Virus. Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

[img]
Preview
PDF
Primary Text

Download (663kB) | Preview

Abstract

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen that has been responsible for extensive and devastating outbreaks of disease in both humans and livestock throughout Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Humans infected with RVFV can recover after a brief febrile illness or go on to develop a more severe outcome including encephalitis, hepatitis, or hemorrhagic fever. Although human transmission primarily occurs through direct interaction with sick animals, inhalational infection can occur, making aerosolized RVFV a plausible bioweapon with potential for severe public health consequences. RVFV does not have a well-characterized rat or non-human primate (NHP) model for aerosol challenge. Animal models are essential for the testing of medical countermeasures, with knowledge of the host immune response aiding in their development. To further our understanding of the role that antibodies play in shaping the outcome of respiratory disease, inbred rats and non-human primates were exposed to aerosolized RVFV. Wistar-Furth, ACI, and Lewis rats were challenged in median lethal dose and serial sacrifice studies from which samples were tested to determine the robustness and timing of the IgG response. Wistar-Furth rats succumbed to hepatic disease shortly after infection, and never mounted a detectable antibody response. ACI and Lewis rats developed neurologic disease, with IgG appearing 6 d.p.i. and potentially influencing host survivability. To investigate the significance of the humoral response during respiratory infection of NHPs, cynomolgus macaques, rhesus macaques, African Green monkeys, and marmosets, were inoculated with RVFV via aerosol route, with blood samples taken at several time points. Cynomolgus and rhesus species were not sensitive to developing disease, but elicited strong IgG and neutralizing antibodies in response to inoculation. AGMs and marmosets showed moderate to high susceptibility to neurologic disease, even in the presence of extremely high titers of neutralizing antibodies. Further immunity studies are pertinent to better comprehend these host-pathogen interactions after RVFV aerosol challenge.


Share

Citation/Export:
Social Networking:
Share |

Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Caroline, Amy L.alc190@pitt.eduALC190
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Thesis AdvisorHartman, Amy L.hartman2@pitt.eduHARTMAN2
Committee MemberStefano-Cole, Kellystefcole@pitt.eduSTEFCOLE
Committee MemberMarques, Ernesto T Amarques@pitt.eduMARQUES
Date: 27 June 2013
Date Type: Publication
Defense Date: 4 April 2013
Approval Date: 27 June 2013
Submission Date: 19 April 2013
Access Restriction: 2 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 2 years.
Number of Pages: 63
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: School of Public Health > Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
Degree: MS - Master of Science
Thesis Type: Master's Thesis
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: Rift Valley fever virus, RVFV, animal model, rats, non-human primates, aerosol, bioweapon
Date Deposited: 27 Jun 2013 18:08
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2016 14:12
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/18520

Metrics

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics


Actions (login required)

View Item View Item