Characterisation of immunosuppression in rabbits after infection with myxoma virus

Abstract

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Decrease in C-reactive protein levels in rabbits after vaccination with a live attenuated myxoma virus vaccine

“…Watzinger et al (2011) reported the increase in CR protein levels observed after injection of antigens (Complete Freund's Adjuvant, typhoid vaccine, saline solutions) to rabbits, what is in contrast with our study with MXT vaccination. On the other hand our results are in agreement with the literature, in which myxoma virus has shown an inherent ability to infect and cause immunosuppression in rabbits after infection (Jeklova et al 2008;Spiesschaert et al 2011). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001…”

“…The decrease in the percentage of CD4 + cells after vaccination in our results are in agreement with an earlier study focused on a characterisation of immunosuppression in rabbits after infection with myxoma virus (Jeklova et al 2008) and also with in vitro studies of malignant rabbit fibroma virus (Strayer et al 1987;Strayer 1992). This leporipoxvirus, a hybrid of myxoma virus and rabbit fibroma virus, replicates preferentially in mature T lymphocytes of the spleen but is able to grow in B lymphocytes as well.…”

“…On the other hand, we found an increased percentage of T cells (CD8 + ) in the rabbit peripheral blood after immunisation, a result which is discordant with those of Jeklova et al (2008). An increase in lymphocyte concentration is usually a sign of a viral infection, in this case caused by the attenuated myxoma virus.…”

Host-specificity of myxoma virus: Pathogenesis of South American and North American strains of myxoma virus in two North American lagomorph species

“…There are two features that are important in the development of generalized lethal disease. Firstly, the replication of myxoma virus in T lymphocytes and macrophages and secondly the immune suppression of T lymphocyte responses (Strayer, 1992;Jeklova et al, 2008) and widespread destruction of lymphoid tissue (Hurst, 1937a;. At least five myxoma virus genes are essential for replication in T lymphocytes and macrophages (M002, M004, M005, M011, M013) (Stanford et al, 2007).…”

Timing and severity of immunizing diseases in rabbits is controlled by seasonal matching of host and pathogen dynamics

“…Importantly, the actual impact of the two diseases under natural conditions will depend on the seasonal timing of disease introduction, as a later introduction of MYXV into a host population will dampen the positive effect on disease severity and population extirpation in relation to delayed susceptibility to RHDV. Some of the impact of myxomatosis on RHD severity, however, is likely underestimated in our modelling, because we did not take immunosuppressive characteristics of MYXV [56] into account. With a relatively low impact of myxomatosis on rabbit populations, RHDV infection and disease delay may become an important driver of disease severity and population extirpation.…”