Effect of Rearing Conditions on Encephalomyocarditis (EMC) Virus-induced Diabetes in Mice

Abstract

To compare the incidence in the diabetic syndrome in mice reared under sterile and non-sterile conditions, both conventional and SPF DBA/2 N male mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with two doses (10⁴ TCID₅₀/0.1ml or 10⁵ TCID₅₀/0.1ml) of encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus M variant. The incidence of diabetic symptoms was higher in mice reared under sterile conditionthan under non-sterile condition. It appeared that a difference in animal rearing conditions would affect the sensitivity to EMC virus in mice.