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Characterization of a Novel STAT 2 Knock Out Hamster Model of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Pathogenesis
Scientific Reports
  • Charlene Ranadheera, Public Health Agency of Canada
  • Emelissa J. Valcourt, Public Health Agency of Canada
  • Bryce M. Warner, Public Health Agency of Canada
  • Guillaume Poliquin, Public Health Agency of Canada
  • Kyle Rosenke, Rocky Mountain Laboratories
  • Kathy Frost, Public Health Agency of Canada
  • Kevin Tierney, Public Health Agency of Canada
  • Greg Saturday, Rocky Mountain Laboratories
  • Jinxin Miao, Utah State University
  • Jonna B. Westover, Utah State University
  • Brian B. Gowen, Utah State University
  • Stephanie Booth, Public Health Agency of Canada
  • Heinz Feldmann, Rocky Mountain Laboratories
  • Zhongde Wang, Utah State University
  • David Safronetz, Public Health Agency of Canada
Document Type
Article
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
Publication Date
7-23-2020
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
Disciplines
Abstract

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne pathogen causing a febrile illness in humans, which can progress to hemorrhagic manifestations, multi-organ failure, and death. Current mouse models of CCHFV infection reliably succumb to virus challenge but vary in their ability to reflect signs of disease similar to humans. In this study, we established a signal transducer and activator of transcription 2 (STAT2) knockout hamster model to expand the repertoire of animal models of CCHFV pathogenesis that can be used for therapeutic development. These hamsters demonstrated a systemic and lethal disease in response to infection. Hallmarks of human disease were observed including petechial rash, blood coagulation dysfunction, and various biochemistry and blood cell count abnormalities. Furthermore, we also demonstrated the utility of this model for anti-CCHFV therapeutic evaluation. The STAT2 knock-out hamster model of CCHFV infection may provide some further insights into clinical disease, viral pathogenesis, and pave the way for testing of potential drug and vaccine candidates.

Citation Information
Ranadheera, C., Valcourt, E.J., Warner, B.M. et al. Characterization of a novel STAT 2 knock-out hamster model of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus pathogenesis. Sci Rep 10, 12378 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-69054-3