[Blood parameters variation in Calomys musculinus infected with Junin virus, strain XJCl3].

The aim of this study was to analyze the alterations in homeostasis induced by Junin virus during acute and persistent infection of C. musculinus. Virus presence in brain, hematological response and glycemia levels were evaluated. Newborn C. musculinus inoculated with 4000 DL50 of Junin virus, strain XJCl3 by intraperitoneal route developed a typical acute disease, with 50-70% mortality. Virus was isolated from brain starting day 6 post-infection (Fig. 1) and the peak titer (10(8) DL50/ml) was reached at 12 days post-infection. Neutralizing anti-Junin virus antibodies were detected from day 11 post-infection and all chronically infected animals developed persistent levels of neutralizing antibodies. In the acute stage of infection, 40% of the animals developed lymphopenia and neutrophilia (Fig. 2) while a slight variation was observed in the monocyte population. An important hypoglycemia was also seen in the acute infection (mean = 3.52 mmol/l) in comparison with control values (mean = 6.21 mmol/l), p less than 0.01 (Fig. 3). By contrast during the chronic stage of infection, neither hematological parameters (Table 2) varied between infected and control animals.