The DBA.2 Mouse Is Susceptible to Disease following Infection with a Broad, but Limited, Range of Influenza A and B Viruses

Abstract

We assessed the relative susceptibilities to disease of the DBA.2 and C57BL/6 mouse models upon infection with a range of influenza A and B viruses. DBA.2 mice were more susceptible to disease upon inoculation with human H1N1 influenza A virus strains, several swine influenza viruses, and influenza B viruses but were not overtly susceptible to infection with human seasonal H3N2 strains. Hemagglutination inhibition and immunoglobulin isotype profiling indicated that DBA.2 and C57BL/6 mice generate comparable humoral responses upon equivalent 50% mouse lethal dose (MLD ₅₀ ) challenges with influenza virus. Our data demonstrate the utility of DBA.2 mice for the elucidation of influenza virus pathogenicity determinants and the testing of influenza vaccines.