Open AccessDual Infection of Rabbits with Human T Cell Lymphotropic Virus Types I and II
Author(s) -
Machida Hisanori,
Morishita Nobumasa,
Ikezoe Takayuki,
Sawada Takashi,
Ohtsuki Yuji,
Miyoshi Isao
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
japanese journal of cancer research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 0910-5050
DOI - 10.1111/j.1349-7006.1997.tb00358.x
Subject(s) - superinfection , virology , biology , virus , in vivo , cell culture , inoculation , human t lymphotropic virus 1 , polymerase chain reaction , immunity , in vitro , antibody , immunology , immune system , gene , biochemistry , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology , t cell leukemia
Attempts were made to generate a rabbit model of dual infection with human T lymphotropic virus (HTLV) types I and II. Four groups (A, B, C, and D) of three rabbits each were used. Group A was inoculated with the RW‐1 cell line coinfected with HTLV‐I and HTLV‐II and group B was transfused from a dually infected rabbit. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers specific for the pol region of each virus detected both HTLV‐I and HTLV‐II in all group A and two group B rabbits, but HTLV‐II only in the remaining group B rabbit. Groups C and D already infected with HTLV‐I and HTLV‐II, respectively, were inoculated with an HTLV‐II‐ or HTLV‐I‐producing cell line. One group C rabbit became PCR‐positive for both viruses but the other five resisted superinfection with the respective viruses. During prolonged observation, three of the six dually infected rabbits converted to single (HTLV‐I or HTLV‐II) infection. The in vivo dual infection was confirmed by in vitro establishment of a lymphoid cell line coinfected with HTLV‐I and HTLV‐II. It was also possible to establish coinfected lymphoid cell lines from HTLV‐I‐infected rabbits by coculture with lethally irradiated HTLV‐II‐producing cells and vice versa. The mechanism of viral elimination in dually infected rabbits, as well as that of protective immunity against superinfection, remains to be elucidated.