Assessment Of Rodents As Animal Models For Reston Ebolavirus

The emergence of Reston ebolavirus (REBOV) in domestic swine in the Philippines has caused a renewed interest in REBOV pathogenicity. Here, the use of different rodent species as animal disease models for REBOV was investigated. BALB/c and STAT1(-/-) mice, Hartley guinea pigs, and Syrian hamsters were inoculated intraperitoneally with REBOV strain Pennsylvania or Reston08-A. Although virus replication occurred in guinea pigs, hamsters, and STAT1(-/-) mice, progression to disease was only observed in STAT1(-/-) mice. Moreover, REBOV Pennsylvania was more pathogenic than REBOV Reston08-A in this model. Thus, STAT1(-/-) mice may be used for research of REBOV pathogenicity and intervention strategies.