The host inflammatory response contributes to disease severity in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus infected mice

Using murine infection model, genetic disruption of a specific pathogen sensing pathway or inflammatory cytokine signaling pathway resulted in the protection of mice from a lethal Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) infection. Moreover, it was shown that a non-lethal CCHFV strain infection does not induce an inflammatory cytokine response despite similar levels of viral replication with a lethal CCHFV infection. These results demonstrated that a inflammatory host response is an important component of CCHFV pathogenic process.