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Non-A, non-B hepatitis in chimpanzees and marmosets
Abstract:
Nine of 15 specimens of human origin thought to contain non-A, non-B hepatitis agents caused hepatitis in recipient chimpanzees. Two have been further characterized. One inoculum, designated strain F, has been reported to produce unique cytoplasmic changes detected by electron microscopy in liver biopsy specimens; the other, strain H, produced distinctive nuclear changes. It is not yet clear whether these two changes result from infection by different agents; they have been useful markers of non-A, non-B hepatitis in chimpanzees. Strain F was serially passaged six times in chimpanzees, and the infectivity titer of the strain F plasma was estimated to be less than 10(2)/ml. Strain H had an infectivity titer in chimpanzees of at least 10(6)/ml. Both the strain F and strain H agents have been successfully transmitted and serially passaged in marmosets. Although hepatitis was detected in a lower percentage of marmosets than chimpanzees given either the strain F or H inoculum, the infectivity titer of the strain H agent appeared to be greater than or equal to 10(8) marmoset infectious doses/ml.
Insights
Researchers identified two distinct non-A, non-B hepatitis strains (F and H) in chimpanzees, with differing cellular effects. Both strains were successfully transmitted to marmosets, aiding in hepatitis research.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Primate Models in Research
Background:
- Non-A, non-B hepatitis represents a significant etiological category of viral hepatitis.
- Identifying causative agents and their characteristics is crucial for understanding disease pathogenesis.
- Animal models, particularly non-human primates, are vital for studying hepatitis transmission and effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize distinct agents of non-A, non-B hepatitis from human-derived specimens.
- To evaluate the infectivity and transmission potential of these agents in chimpanzees and marmosets.
- To investigate the cytopathological differences between identified hepatitis strains.
Main Methods:
- Inoculation of chimpanzees with human-derived specimens suspected of containing non-A, non-B hepatitis agents.
- Serial passage and characterization of hepatitis strains (F and H) in recipient chimpanzees.
- Transmission studies and serial passage of strains F and H in marmosets.
- Electron microscopy for detection of cytoplasmic and nuclear changes in liver biopsies.
Main Results:
- Nine of 15 human specimens induced hepatitis in chimpanzees.
- Strain F induced unique cytoplasmic changes, while strain H caused distinctive nuclear changes.
- Strain F had an infectivity titer < 10(2)/ml in chimpanzees; Strain H had a titer ≥ 10(6)/ml.
- Both strains were transmissible and serially passaged in marmosets, with Strain H showing a titer ≥ 10(8) infectious doses/ml.
Conclusions:
- Two distinct non-A, non-B hepatitis agents (strains F and H) were identified and characterized.
- Cytopathological differences (cytoplasmic vs. nuclear changes) may serve as markers for these agents.
- Marmosets serve as a viable model for studying non-A, non-B hepatitis, particularly for agents like strain H.