DEVELOPMENT OF GUINEA PIG MODEL TO INVESTIGATE LUJO DISEASE AND PATHOGENESIS

Abstract

Lujo virus (LUJV) is a novel human pathogenic arenavirus. This virus was isolated from an outbreak that occurred in 2008. The case fatality rate was 80 percent, four out of five cases. The only survivor received Ribavirin. Recently, an animal model for LUJV was developed in strain 13/N guinea pigs (Bird et al. 2012). The exact differences between strain 13/N (University of Iowa) and strain 13 (United States Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases, USAMRIID) is unknown. It is hypothesized that the strain 13 from USAMRIID will be similarly susceptible to LUJV infection. The Hartley strain will also be tested in a comparison with strain 13, as a possible animal model for LUJV. Following the establishment of the LUJV animal model in either Hartley or strain 13 guinea pigs, we will then utilize the model to characterize and better understand LUJV pathology and disease progression. This model may be used for discovery and development of potential therapeutics and vaccines to combat future LUJV outbreaks.