[Spontaneous and experimental hepatitis A in Papio hamadryas]

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Primate Models

Background:

• Hepatitis A virus (HAV) poses a significant public health concern.
• Animal models are crucial for understanding HAV pathogenesis and developing interventions.
• The susceptibility of Papio hamadryas (baboons) to HAV has not been extensively studied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the susceptibility of Papio hamadryas to Hepatitis A virus (HAV).
• To characterize a newly isolated HAV strain from a baboon.
• To evaluate the potential of P. hamadryas as a model for HAV infection.

Main Methods:

• Experimental and natural infection of Papio hamadryas with HAV.
• Monitoring of clinical signs, including aminotransferase levels and virus shedding.
• Serological analysis for anti-HAV IgG and IgM.
• Histopathological examination of liver tissues.
• Isolation and characterization of the HAV-PH strain.
• In vitro replication in African green monkey kidney (AGMK) cells.

Main Results:

• Papio hamadryas exhibited high susceptibility to HAV, displaying characteristic hepatitis A features.
• Infections persisted for 3-4 months, with a chronic case showing relapse at 7 months.
• A novel HAV strain, HAV-PH, was isolated from a spontaneously infected baboon.
• HAV-PH was antigenically and morphologically similar to human strains and replicated in AGMK cells.
• The isolated virus was pathogenic for P. hamadryas.

Conclusions:

• Papio hamadryas serves as a susceptible host for HAV, mirroring human hepatitis A.
• The newly isolated HAV-PH strain is viable and suitable for further research.
• P. hamadryas infected with HAV-PH can be utilized as a valuable model for studying hepatitis A.