title: The cotton rat Sigmodon hispidus model of respiratory syncytial virus infection.
abstract: The cotton rat Sigmodon hispidus is a New World rodent that has become an important model of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. This small animal is relatively permissive to RSV and can be infected throughout life. It recapitulates the pathology associated with the FI-RSV vaccine-enhanced disease, the phenomenon of maternally transmitted immunity and the ability of passive immunity to suppress efficacy of RSV vaccines. Different highly susceptible human cohort scenarios have been modeled in the cotton rat, including RSV disease in infants, elderly, and immunosuppressed individuals. The cotton rat has accurately predicted efficacy and dose of antibody immunoprophylaxis, and the lack of efficacy of antibody immunotherapy for disease treatment. With the recent development of molecular reagents and tools for the model, the cotton rat is an important model of RSV infection to consider for vaccine and drug testing, and will continue to advance our understanding of RSV disease pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Sigmovir Biosystems, Inc, 9610 Medical Center Drive, Suite 100, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA, m.boukhvalova@sigmovir.com.
authors.forename: Marina S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Boukhvalova
authors.forename: Jorge C G
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Blanco
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007223:Infant; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000662:veterinary*; D022261:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D018113:Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D016205:Sigmodontinae; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated; D014760:Viral Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; C526850:F protein, human respiratory syncytial virus; D022261:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated; D014760:Viral Fusion Proteins