Differential replicative ability of clinical dengue virus isolates in an immunocompetent C57BL/6 mouse model.

Background: Several experimental animal models have been used to study the pathogenesis of dengue disease; however, most of the studies used laboratory-adapted viruses, which lack the virulence of viruses circulating in humans. The aim of this study was to analyze the ability of clinical Dengue virus (DENV) isolates (D2/BR/RP/RMB/09 and D3/BR/SL3/02) to infect immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice.

Methods: Two strategies of intraperitoneal infection, which were based on the concept of the antibody dependent enhancement phenomenon, were used.