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Belser JA, Kieran TJ, Mitchell ZA, Sun X, Mayfield K, Tumpey TM, Spengler JR, Maines TR. Key considerations to improve the normalization, interpretation and reproducibility of morbidity data in mammalian models of viral disease. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050511. [PMID: 38440823 PMCID: PMC10941659 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Viral pathogenesis and therapeutic screening studies that utilize small mammalian models rely on the accurate quantification and interpretation of morbidity measurements, such as weight and body temperature, which can vary depending on the model, agent and/or experimental design used. As a result, morbidity-related data are frequently normalized within and across screening studies to aid with their interpretation. However, such data normalization can be performed in a variety of ways, leading to differences in conclusions drawn and making comparisons between studies challenging. Here, we discuss variability in the normalization, interpretation, and presentation of morbidity measurements for four model species frequently used to study a diverse range of human viral pathogens - mice, hamsters, guinea pigs and ferrets. We also analyze findings aggregated from influenza A virus-infected ferrets to contextualize this discussion. We focus on serially collected weight and temperature data to illustrate how the conclusions drawn from this information can vary depending on how raw data are collected, normalized and measured. Taken together, this work supports continued efforts in understanding how normalization affects the interpretation of morbidity data and highlights best practices to improve the interpretation and utility of these findings for extrapolation to public health contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A. Belser
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Troy J. Kieran
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Zoë A. Mitchell
- Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Division of Scientific Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Xiangjie Sun
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Kristin Mayfield
- Division of Scientific Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Terrence M. Tumpey
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Jessica R. Spengler
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Taronna R. Maines
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
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Kirk NM, Liang Y, Ly H. Comparative Pathology of Animal Models for Influenza A Virus Infection. Pathogens 2023; 13:35. [PMID: 38251342 PMCID: PMC10820042 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Animal models are essential for studying disease pathogenesis and to test the efficacy and safety of new vaccines and therapeutics. For most diseases, there is no single model that can recapitulate all features of the human condition, so it is vital to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each. The purpose of this review is to describe popular comparative animal models, including mice, ferrets, hamsters, and non-human primates (NHPs), that are being used to study clinical and pathological changes caused by influenza A virus infection with the aim to aid in appropriate model selection for disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hinh Ly
- Department of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN 55108, USA; (N.M.K.); (Y.L.)
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