Viral load, organ distribution, histopathological lesions, and cytokine mRNA expression in goats infected with a molecular clone of the caprine arthritis encephalitis virus.
Caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) is a lentivirus of goats that causes persistent infection characterized by the appearance of inflammatory lesions in various organs. To define the sites of persistence, 5 goats were infected with a molecular clone of CAEV, and the viral load was monitored by real-time-PCR and RT-PCR in different sites 8 years after infection. The lymph nodes proved to be an important virus reservoir, with moderate virus replication relative to what is reported for lentiviruses of primates. Mammary gland and milk cells were preferred sites of viral replication. The viral load varied significantly between animals, which points to an important role of the genetic background. We found a clear association between occurrence of histopathological lesions and viral load in specific sites. The mRNA expression analysis of several cytokines did not reveal differences between animals that could explain the considerable individual variations in viral load observed.
Institute of Veterinary Virology, University of Bern, Laenggass-Str. 122, CH-3012, Switzerland. ana.ravazzolo@ufrgs.br
Ana Paula
AP
Ravazzolo
Chiara
C
Nenci
Hans-Rudolf
HR
Vogt
Andreas
A
Waldvogel
Gabriela
G
Obexer-Ruff
Ernst
E
Peterhans
Giuseppe
G
Bertoni
D000818:Animals; D016088:Arthritis-Encephalitis Virus, Caprine / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015511:Goat Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D006041:Goats / Q000821:virology; D007596:Joints / Q000473:pathology; D016180:Lentivirus Infections / Q000662:veterinary / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019562:Viral Load; D014779:Virus Replication
D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger