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Method to detect asymptomatic carriers of simian hemorrhagic fever virus
Abstract:
Evidence was obtained that mononuclear phagocytic cells are the target cells for simian hemorrhagic fever virus replication. Using peritoneal macrophages from rhesus monkeys in an in vitro, 18 of 20 asymptomatic chronically infected patas monkeys were detected from coded samples. The two chronically infected patas monkeys not detected by the test, nevertheless, contained virus. This was determined by inoculating macrophage cultures with plasma from macaques dying as a result of inoculation with plasma from these chronically infected animals. in addition to virus found in chronically infected animals, all isolates of simian hemorrhagic fever virus tested previously described epizootics lytically infected rhesus monkey macrophages. These data suggested that the highly fatal nature of simian hemorrhagic fever in macaques was related to the extreme sensitivity of their mononuclear phagocytic cells to infection and lysis.
Insights
Simian hemorrhagic fever virus primarily infects mononuclear phagocytic cells. This extreme sensitivity in macaques explains the disease's high fatality rate, even in asymptomatic carriers.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Primate Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Simian hemorrhagic fever (SHF) is a highly fatal disease in macaques.
- The specific cellular targets and pathogenesis of SHF virus are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the primary target cells for simian hemorrhagic fever virus (SHFV) replication.
- To investigate the role of cellular susceptibility in SHF pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- In vitro infection of rhesus monkey macrophages with SHFV.
- Detection of SHFV in asymptomatic chronically infected patas monkeys using macrophage cultures.
- Plasma inoculation studies to confirm viral presence in undetected animals.
Main Results:
- Mononuclear phagocytic cells were identified as the primary target cells for SHFV replication.
- 18 of 20 asymptomatic patas monkeys were detected via macrophage cultures; the remaining two harbored detectable virus through plasma inoculation.
- SHFV isolates from epizootics lysed rhesus monkey macrophages, indicating high susceptibility.
Conclusions:
- Mononuclear phagocytic cells are the key cellular targets for SHFV.
- The extreme sensitivity of these cells in macaques likely contributes to the high mortality observed in simian hemorrhagic fever.