Vet. Res. 38 (2007) 117-126
DOI: 10.1051/vetres:2006051

Animal models for human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections

Oliver Schildgen*^a, Arne Simon^b and John Williams<sup>c

a</sup>  Institute for Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University Hospital Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
^b  Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Bonn, Adenauer Allee 119, 53105 Bonn, Germany
^c  Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Nashville, TN, USA

(Received 29 June 2006; accepted 2 October 2006; published online 21 December 2006)

Abstract - Since its detection in 2001 the human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a member of the Paramyxoviridae family, was observed to be a serious pathogen in human respiratory infections during childhood. Meanwhile, several animal models have been established to study the virus-host interactions and pathogenic effects. Mainly, small laboratory animals like mice and cotton rats have been used, although the usage of these two species for HMPV research is controversially discussed and contradictious results were obtained by different groups. Further trials with ferrets, hamsters and non human primates were performed revealing different success in their individual usage. In this review we present the different animal models, summarize their advantages and disadvantages, and discuss the controversial results from different studies.

Key words: human metapneumovirus / respiratory viruses / animal models

Corresponding author: schildgen@mibi03.meb.uni-bonn.de john.williams@vanderbilt.edu

© INRA, EDP Sciences 2007