Mokola virus: experimental infection and transmission studies with the shrew, a natural host.

Abstract

Wild-caught shrews (Crocidura sp.), the only known wildlife host of the rabiesrelated agent Mokola virus, were given various dose levels of Mokola virus by different routes (subcutaneous, intramuscular, and oral), and then were examined for recovery of virus, presence of histopathologic lesions, and ability to transmit virus by bite to laboratory mice. Thirteen shrews, given virus by each of the routes, showed evidence of having become infected. Eleven of these became ill and yielded virus from multiple tissues, in which lesions were observed. Of the two infected shrews that remained asymptomatic, both showed histopathologic lesions and one also yielded virus, while the other was virus-negative (only brain was tested) but transmitted virus to a mouse. Four of the shrews that were virus-positive also transmitted the virus to mice. Thirty other inoculated shrews, as well as control shrews, did not yield virus and failed either to show lesions compatible with Mokola virus infection or to transmit virus.