Modeling influenza virus infection in mature Wistar rats

It has now been established that blood vessels are target for influenza, but the mechanism by which the influenza virus affects the cardiovascular system is unknown.
The aim – adaptation of influenza virus A/St. Petersburg/48/16 H1N1(pdm09) to mature Wistar rats, as these animals are the main experimental model for studying the pathology of the cardiovascular system.
Material and methods. Passage of influenza A virus (IAV) in embryonated chicken eggs, intranasal inoculation of rats with virus-containing material s, production of pulmonary homogenate, determination of IAV titer in embryonated chicken eggs, detection of histological changes in lung and pulmonary vessels.
Results. The article presents the results of the adaptation of influenza virus A/St. Petersburg/48/16 H1N1(pdm09) to mature Wistar rats. The infectious titer of the virus in the homogenates of infected rats lungs at the last stage of adaptation was 7.0 lg EID50/ml. Histological studies revealed pronounced changes in the respiratory tract (spasm of bronchioles, submucosal edema, desquamation of ciliated epithelium of bronchioles) and pulmonary vessels (spasm, desquamation and swelling of endotheliocytes, dissociation and swelling of the elastic membrane and media). In order to identify IAV in blood vessels and lung tissues, an immunohistochemical study was performed using monoclonal antibodies to NP antigen of IAV.
Conclusion. The data obtained allow us to conclude that the strain of influenza virus A/St. Petersburg/48/16 H1N1(pdm09) was adapted to mature Wistar rats maintaining virulent properties. The infectious titer of the virus at the last stage of adaptation was 7.0 lg EID50/ml. IAV identification is confirmed by immunohistochemical examination.