Myxoma virus in the European rabbit: Interactions between the virus and its susceptible host

Marianne M. Stanford, Steven J. Werden, Grant McFadden

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

80 Scopus citations

Abstract

Myxoma virus (MV) is a poxvirus that evolved in Sylvilagus lagomorphs, and is the causative agent of myxomatosis in European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). This virus is not a natural pathogen of O. cuniculus, yet is able to subvert the host rabbit immune system defenses and cause a highly lethal systemic infection. The interaction of MV proteins and the rabbit immune system has been an ideal model to help elucidate host/poxvirus interactions, and has led to a greater understanding of how other poxvirus pathogens are able to cause disease in their respective hosts. This review will examine how MV causes myxomatosis, by examining a selection of the identified immunomodulatory proteins that this virus expresses to subvert the immune and inflammatory pathways of infected rabbit hosts.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)299-318
Number of pages20
JournalVeterinary Research
Volume38
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Immunomodulation
  • Myxoma virus
  • Oryctolagus cuniculus
  • Poxvirus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Veterinary

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