title: Assessment of the ferret as an in vivo model for mumps virus infection.
abstract: Humans are the sole reservoir for mumps virus (MuV), the causative agent of mumps. No animal model currently exists; therefore, in vivo knowledge of the virus is limited. Ferrets were assessed for their susceptibility to MuV based on their success as a model for influenza. We infected ferrets with clinical or attenuated vaccine MuVs by the nasal route and demonstrated evidence of immunogenicity in these animals with generation of a serum antibody response specific to MuV infection and cytokine production consistent with infection. However, no live virus or viral RNA was detected in nasal washes, oral swabs, urine, faeces or tissue homogenates, and no animals exhibited clinical signs. We suggest results to be obtained from ferrets are limited in fundamental in vivo MuV research and that they may not be a suitable animal model for this virus.
authors: Division of Virology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar EN6 3QG, UK.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Parker
authors: Division of Virology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar EN6 3QG, UK.
authors: S M
authors: SM
authors: Gilliland
authors: Division of Virology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar EN6 3QG, UK.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Minor
authors: Division of Virology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar EN6 3QG, UK.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Schepelmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005289:Ferrets; D006801:Humans; D009107:Mumps / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D009109:Mumps virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D016207:Cytokines