Epstein-Barr virus: experimental infection of Callithrix jacchus marmosets

Eight common marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus) were inoculated with about 10(4) transforming units of B95-8 virus; seven of the marmosets died 50-111 days post inoculation and all seven showed microscopic and/or macroscopic lesions compatible with a diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disease. Low levels of anti-VCA antibodies were detected in plasma from six marmosets. Attempts failed to establish continuous EBV-carrying lymphoblastoid cell cultures by cultivation in vitro of circulating lymphocytes or minced lymphoid tissues obtained at necropsy.