Efficacy of ganciclovir and cidofovir against human cytomegalovirus replication in SCID mice implanted with human retinal tissue.

For immunocompromised hosts, human cytomegalovirus (CMV) can be a serious problem. For evaluation of antivirals used to treat CMV retinitis, we have used severe combined immunodeficient mice as hosts for human retinal tissue implanted in the eye and subsequently infected with CMV. Treatment with ganciclovir or cidofovir resulted in a significant suppression of CMV replication.

Activities of benzimidazole D- and L-ribonucleosides in animal models of cytomegalovirus infections.

Since human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) does not infect or replicate in nonhuman cells and tissues, there are few animal models currently available for evaluation of antiviral therapies for these infections. In the present studies, we utilized two different models in which severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice were implanted with human fetal tissue that was subsequently infected with HCMV. In one model, human fetal retinal tissue was implanted into the anterior chamber of the SCID mouse eye, and in the second, human fetal thymus and liver (thy/liv) tissues were implanted under the kidney capsule.

The role of palatable food and hunger as trigger factors in an animal model of stress induced binge eating.

Objective: Dieting and stress are etiological factors in eating disorders, and dieting strongly predicts stress-induced overeating in the nonclinical population. We developed an animal model of binge eating in sated rats that is evoked by stress, but only in rats with a history of caloric restriction and only if highly palatable food (HPF) is available after stress. This study investigated the effect of known binge triggers, a taste of HPF and of hunger, on this type of binge eating.