Aerosol infection of cynomolgus macaques with enzootic strains of venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses.
Because Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses (VEEVs) are infectious by aerosol, they are considered to be a biological-weapons threat. Nonhuman-primate models are needed to evaluate the efficacy of candidate vaccines. In the present study, cynomolgus macaques, after aerosol exposure to either VEEV-IE or VEEV-IIIA, developed fever, viremia, and lymphopenia; the severity of the fever response, viremia, and lymphopenia correlated with the inhaled dose of VEEV. Of the 10 macaques in our study, 7 developed clinical signs indicative of encephalitis, including loss of balance and hypothermia. In the macaque, the enzootic strains used are infectious by aerosol and lead to disease, including clinical encephalitis.
Division of Toxinology and Aerobiology, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA. doug.reed@det.amedd.army.mil
Douglas S
DS
Reed
Cathleen M
CM
Lind
Lawrence J
LJ
Sullivan
William D
WD
Pratt
Michael D
MD
Parker
D000336:Aerosols; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004685:Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008297:Male
D000336:Aerosols