The Mouse as Model System to Study Host‐Pathogen Interactions in Influenza A Infections

Abstract The mouse is one of the most important mammalian model systems for studying host‐pathogen‐interactions during influenza A virus infections and for assessing the virulence of newly emerging influenza viruses. Here, we provide the basic protocols for infecting mice with influenza virus and studying the main pathological changes associated with disease. Critical parameters, e.g., virus variants and subtypes or mouse strains, are discussed. Curr. Protoc. Mouse Biol . 2:177‐205 © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.