Increased virulence of a human enterovirus (coxsackievirus B3) in selenium-deficient mice.
Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3/20)-induced myocarditic lesions occurred more quickly and were more severe and virus titers in heart and liver were higher in selenium (Se)-deficient than Se-adequate mice. NK cell activity and serum neutralizing antibody titers were similar in both Se-adequate and -deficient CVB3/20-infected mice; however, lymphocyte proliferation to both mitogen and antigen was decreased in Se-deficient mice. CVB3/20 isolated from Se-deficient donor mice and inoculated into Se-adequate recipient mice induced severe myocarditis. In contrast, CVB3/20 isolated from Se-adequate donor mice and inoculated into Se-adequate recipient mice induced only moderate myocarditis, similar to that caused by the original virus stock. Thus, the general population of CVB3/20 virions, as a consequence of replicating in an Se-deficient host, underwent a phenotypic change to increased virulence. These results have important implications for the emergence of virulent viruses.
Beck
M A
MA
Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27514-8180.
Kolbeck
P C
PC
Shi
Q
Q
Rohr
L H
LH
Morris
V C
VC
Levander
O A
OA
D000818:Animals; D003384:Coxsackievirus Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D029822:Enterovirus B, Human / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D006321:Heart / Q000382:microbiology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D012643:Selenium / Q000172:deficiency*; D012692:Serial Passage; D014774:Virulence
D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D012643:Selenium