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Published on: December 23, 2016
Response to experimental infection with mumps virus in rhesus monkeys
T D Flanagan1, J A Andrada, A L Barron
1Department of Microbiology and The Center for Immunology, School of Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14214.
Abstract:
Experiments were conducted in which rhesus monkeys were infected with mumps virus by inoculation into the parotid gland. Virus was isolated from buccal swab specimens from animals up to 6 days after inoculation. Immunofluorescence staining for mumps antigen was positive, and infectious virus was recovered from tissue biopsies of inoculated glands. Histological examination of biopsied glands revealed lymphocytic infiltration of the tissue. Virus was not isolated from urine, buffy coat, or biopsies of thyroid and spleen. In other experiments, animals were infected by inoculation into the thyroid gland. Virus was not isolated from buccal swabs, urine specimens, or thyroid tissues from these monkeys. All inoculated animals responded immunologically to mumps virus regardless of route of infection. Previously infected animals did not shed virus when challenged with mumps virus. A histological response to challenge in glandular tissue was observed which suggested a hypersensitivity to mumps antigen. The response was qualitatively identical to that in acutely infected tissue but more intense. None of the animals infected developed antibodies to thyroid tissue regardless of route of injection of virus or site of challenge of immune monkeys.
Insights
Rhesus monkeys infected with mumps virus shed infectious virus from buccal swabs for up to six days. Subsequent challenges in previously infected monkeys indicated a hypersensitivity response without thyroid antibody development.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Primate Models
Background:
- Mumps virus infection typically affects salivary glands.
- Understanding viral shedding and immune responses is crucial for mumps pathogenesis research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate mumps virus shedding patterns in rhesus monkeys.
- To characterize the immunological and histological responses to mumps virus infection and challenge in a primate model.
Main Methods:
- Rhesus monkeys were inoculated with mumps virus into the parotid or thyroid glands.
- Virus isolation was performed on buccal swabs, urine, buffy coat, and tissue biopsies.
- Immunofluorescence staining and histological examinations were utilized.
- Immunological responses were assessed via antibody detection.
Main Results:
- Infectious mumps virus was isolated from buccal swabs up to 6 days post-inoculation in parotid gland-infected monkeys.
- Lymphocytic infiltration was observed in inoculated parotid glands.
- No virus was isolated from urine, buffy coat, thyroid, or spleen.
- Thyroid gland inoculation did not result in virus isolation from buccal swabs or thyroid tissue.
- All animals showed immunological responses; previously infected animals exhibited hypersensitivity upon challenge.
- No antibodies to thyroid tissue were developed.
Conclusions:
- The parotid gland is a primary site for mumps virus replication and shedding in rhesus monkeys.
- Mumps virus infection elicits a hypersensitivity reaction upon re-exposure.
- The study demonstrates the utility of rhesus monkeys as a model for mumps virus research, showing no cross-reactivity with thyroid tissue.
