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Feeding of Ticks on Animals for Transmission and Xenodiagnosis in Lyme Disease Research
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Published on: August 31, 2013

Infection of Macaca radiata with viruses of the tick-borne encephalitis group

R H Kenyon1, M K Rippy, K T McKee

  • 1Disease Assessment Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD 21702-5011.

Microbial Pathogenesis
|November 11, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Bonnet macaques are susceptible to Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD), showing gastrointestinal and lymphoid lesions. This study establishes Macaca radiata as a valuable model for KFD and related viral encephalitis research.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Pathology
  • Primatology

Background:

  • Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD) is a significant public health concern.
  • Understanding the pathogenesis of KFD in animal models is crucial for developing effective countermeasures.
  • Macaca radiata (bonnet macaques) are native to regions where KFD is endemic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To confirm the susceptibility of Macaca radiata to KFD virus.
  • To characterize the histopathological and immunohistochemical changes induced by KFD virus infection.
  • To evaluate Macaca radiata as a model for KFD and related tick-borne encephalitides.

Main Methods:

  • Infection of Macaca radiata with Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD) virus.
  • Histopathological examination of gastrointestinal and lymphoid tissues.
  • Immunohistochemistry to detect viral antigens.
  • Infection of Macaca radiata with Omsk virus and Russian spring-summer encephalitis (RSSE) virus for comparative analysis.

Main Results:

  • Macaca radiata exhibited susceptibility to KFD virus, with significant gastrointestinal and lymphoid lesions.
  • Viral antigens were detected in the small and large intestine, spleen, and lymph nodes, co-localized with necrosis.
  • Omsk virus did not cause clinical disease, while RSSE virus induced central nervous system signs in some macaques.

Conclusions:

  • Macaca radiata serves as an excellent model for studying human diseases caused by KFD virus.
  • This primate model is also suitable for investigating other related flaviviruses, such as RSSE virus.
  • The observed lesions suggest that KFD virus directly causes cell death or triggers immune-mediated damage.

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