Experimental simian varicella virus (SVV) infection of St. Kitts vervet mon
keys was evaluated as an animal model to investigate human varicella-zoster
virus (VZV) infections. During the incubation period, viremia disseminated
infectious virus throughout the body via infected peripheral blood lymphoc
ytes (PBLs). A vesicular skin rash in the inguinal area, and on the abdomen
, extremities, and face appeared on day 7-10 postinfection. Necrosis and he
morrhage in lung and liver tissues from acutely infected monkeys were evide
nt upon histologic analysis. Recovery from simian varicella was accompanied
by a rise in the serum neutralizing antibody response to the virus. SVV la
tency was established in trigeminal ganglia of monkeys which resolved the a
cute infection. This study indicates that experimental SVV infection of St.
Kitts vervets is a useful animal model to investigate SVV and VZV pathogen
esis and to evaluate potential antiviral agents and vaccines.