Animal models of Reye's syndrome.

The etiology and pathogenesis of Reye's syndrome, an often-fatal childhood disorder, is not completely understood. Although Reye's syndrome is initiated with a prodromal viral illness, the viral infection alone is not sufficient to cause the syndrome. Interactions of virus with dietary or environmental agents such as pesticides, solvents, or drugs may be important in the development of Reye's syndrome. The roles of viruses, drugs, or other agents and their interactions in causing Reye's syndrome are difficult to study in patients because viral infection and ingestion of drugs (or exposure to environmental toxins) occur in the prodromal period. An animal model can therefore be useful in studying the etiology of Reye's syndrome because in such a model, the etiologic factors can be manipulated under controlled conditions. The proposed roles of various compounds in the etiology of Reye's syndrome are discussed in relation to the application of these compounds for studying Reye's syndrome in various animal models. Suggested animal models of Reye's syndrome are reviewed in terms of their relevance and eventual contribution toward a better understanding of the disorder in humans.