Experimental simian varicella virus infection of St. Kitts vervet monkeys

Citation
Wl. Gray et al., Experimental simian varicella virus infection of St. Kitts vervet monkeys, J MED PRIM, 27(4), 1998, pp. 177-183
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Animal Sciences","Animal & Plant Sciences
Journal title
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL PRIMATOLOGY
ISSN journal
00472565 → ACNP
Volume
27
Issue
4
Year of publication
1998
Pages
177 - 183
Database
ISI
SICI code
0047-2565(199808)27:4<177:ESVVIO>2.0.ZU;2-7
Abstract
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.