Fig. 5.

MNV-3 persists in the caecum and the colon. High levels of MNV RNA were detected in caecum and colon samples of animals 28 days post-inoculation. Lower amounts of viral RNA were detected in MLN and small intestine of some animals. MNV RNA levels in liver and spleen were below the detection limit [<4×10² viral RNA molecules (µg total RNA)⁻¹]. The organs and tissues collected included liver, spleen, MLN, different 1 inch sections of the small intestine comprising dudodenum/jejunum (1–2 inches from the stomach end), proximal ileum (3–4 inches from the stomach end) and distal ileum (the last inch before the caecum), caecum and colon. Horizontal bars represent mean values; the dotted line represents the limit of detection.