Multiorgan distribution of human influenza A virus strains observed in a mouse model

Multiorgan spread and pathogenesis of influenza infection with three human influenza A viruses was studied in mice. Mouse-adapted viruses A/Dunedin/4/73(H3N2), A/Mississippi/1/85(H3N2), and A/PR/8/34(H1N1) differed considerably in virulence (p.f.u./LD₅₀): 79,000 p.f.u. for Dunedin, 5,000 p.f.u. for Mississippi, and 65 p.f.u. for PR/8, which qualified Dunedin as low virulent, Mississippi as intermediate, and PR/8 as highly virulent. All three viruses were detected in lungs, heart, and thymus by cultivation and RT-PCR. Moreover, vRNA of all viruses was found in liver and spleen, of Dunedin and PR/8 also in kidneys and that of Dunedin and Mississippi in blood. Only vRNA of Dunedin was demonstrated in brain. Lung damage accompanied by histopathological changes and thymus reduction were most extensive after infection with the highly virulent virus PR/8. We assume that the ability to spread to multiple organs may be a more common property of influenza viruses in mammalian hosts than previously believed.