Meningoencephalitis and demyelination are pathologic manifestations of primary polyomavirus infection in immunosuppressed rhesus monkeys.
The human polyomavirus JC (JCV) is the etiologic agent of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a demyelinating disease of the CNS that occurs in immunosuppressed individuals. Because polyomavirus-induced CNS pathology usually occurs as a result of the reactivation of latent virus, little is known about the disease manifestations of a primary polyomavirus-induced disease in man. To model such a primary infection, SV40-negative rhesus monkeys were immunosuppressed by infection with the virus SHIV-89.6P and then superinfected with the polyomavirus SV40. The animals developed CNS pathology characterized by both demyelination and meningoencephalitis. This observation suggests that a primary polyomavirus infection can be associated with an inflammatory CNS process. These data shed new light on the pathogenic mechanisms of primate polyomaviruses in the immunocompromised host.
Axthelm
Michael K
MK
Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA.
Koralnik
Igor J
IJ
Dang
Xin
X
Wüthrich
Christian
C
Rohne
Daniela
D
Stillman
Isaac E
IE
Letvin
Norman L
NL
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016867:Immunocompromised Host / Q000502:physiology; D007577:JC Virus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D007968:Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D008253:Macaca mulatta / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D008578:Meninges / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D009894:Opportunistic Infections; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013539:Simian virus 40 / Q000472:pathogenicity*