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A Primary Neuron Culture System for the Study of Herpes Simplex Virus Latency and Reactivation
Published on: April 2, 2012
Isolation of B virus (herpes group) from the central nervous system of a rhesus monkey
Abstract:
While passaging a recently isolated strain of poliomyelitis virus through a rhesus monkey, another virus was procured from its central nervous system. After intracerebral inoculation, the virus produced meningoencephalitis in monkeys, cotton rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rabbits; after intracutaneous inoculation a necrotic skin lesion was produced in the monkey and rabbit and this was often followed by myelitis. The virus could also be passed in newborn mice less than 48 hours old and in chick embryos by inoculation of the chorioallantoic membrane. Immunological and host range studies revealed this virus to be related to the B virus originally described by Sabin and Wright in 1934 (1). To our knowledge this is the first record of B virus having been isolated from a monkey, and lends support to the inclusion of this agent as the simian member of the herpes group. The infection is not uncommon in monkey stocks, as revealed by the finding of antibodies to the virus in their sera. In the present series 9 of 44 monkeys gave positive antibody tests. Gamma globulin prepared in the United States in 1945, 1951, and 1953, as well as a certain proportion of sera from normal individuals in Bombay, India, and elsewhere, showed neutralizing activity against the new strain of B virus, and also to herpes simplex virus. This may be the result of the partial crossing which exists between the two viruses.
Insights
This study reports the first isolation of B virus from a rhesus monkey, causing meningoencephalitis and skin lesions in various animals. The findings support B virus as a simian herpes group member, with cross-neutralizing antibodies found in human sera.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Neuroscience
- Pathology
Background:
- A novel virus was isolated from the central nervous system of a rhesus monkey during poliomyelitis virus passaging.
- B virus, previously described by Sabin and Wright in 1934, is implicated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize a newly isolated virus from a rhesus monkey.
- To determine the host range and immunological properties of the isolated virus.
- To investigate the potential relationship between the isolated virus and known herpes group viruses.
Main Methods:
- Intracerebral and intracutaneous inoculation of various animal models (monkeys, rodents, rabbits).
- Passaging in newborn mice and chick embryos.
- Immunological studies including host range and antibody neutralization assays.
Main Results:
- The virus induced meningoencephalitis in multiple animal species and necrotic skin lesions followed by myelitis in monkeys and rabbits.
- The virus was successfully passaged in newborn mice and chick embryos.
- Host range and immunological studies indicated a relationship to B virus, supporting its classification within the simian herpes group.
- Antibodies against the new B virus strain and herpes simplex virus were detected in human gamma globulin and sera, suggesting cross-neutralization.
Conclusions:
- This marks the first isolation of B virus from a monkey, reinforcing its role as a simian herpes group agent.
- B virus infection appears prevalent in monkey stocks, with antibodies found in 9 of 44 tested monkeys.
- Cross-neutralizing activity observed between B virus and herpes simplex virus suggests potential cross-reactivity and shared antigenic properties.
