Elimination of mouse hepatitis virus from a breeding colony by temporary cessation of breeding

Abstract

During quarantine in a Trexler-type isolator, high mortality was noted among offspring in a breeding colony of C.B.-17 scid/+ mice. Histology and immunohistochemistry on tissues of surviving weanlings confirmed mouse hepatitis virus infection (MHV). Since MHV infection is reported to be acute and self limiting, elimination of infection was attempted by cessation of breeding for a 15-week period. F1 mice born thereafter were seropositive for MHV at 3 to 4 weeks old and seronegative 4 weeks later, attributed to decay of maternally-derived antibodies. F2 mice were seronegative for MHV at 3 to 9 weeks old. No deaths occurred in any litters. These results suggest that MHV can be eliminated from a colony by temporary cessation of breeding, as evidenced by seronegative progeny through the F2 generation.