Infection of human enterovirus 71 in immunosuppressed rhesus monkeys

AIM: To investigate the infection process of human enterovirus 71 (EV71) in a rhesus monkey model of immunosuppression.METHODS: The monkey immunosuppression model was established by oral administration of cyclosporin A at a daily dose of 15 mg/kg for 7 days. Fourteen days after inoculation of EV71 FY23 strain via respiratory and digestive tracts, the infectious monkeys were sacrificed, and then the pathological changes of systemic organs were observed and the viral analysis in different tissues was performed.RESULTS: Compared with the experimental group without cyclosporin A, more positive results were observed in the immunosuppressed monkeys, such as more severe clinical symptoms, higher viral load/antigen expression and more pathological changes in the organs.CONCLUSION: The findings of the viral multiplication in the host provide evidence for evaluation of EV71 vaccine, and also indicate the delimitation for the population using EV71 vaccine in future.