Severe encephalitis in cynomolgus macaques exposed to aerosolized Eastern equine encephalitis virus.
Cynomolgus macaques exposed to an aerosol containing a virulent strain of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus developed neurological signs indicating encephalitis that corresponded with the onset of fever and an elevated heart rate. Viremia was either transient or undetectable even in animals that succumbed to the illness. The onset of illness was dose dependent, but once a febrile response was observed, macaques were moribund within 36 h. Simultaneously, a prominent leukocytosis was seen; 1 day before being moribund, macaques had a white blood cell count >20,000 cells/ microL. The leukocytes were predominantly granulocytes. Increases in serum levels of blood urea nitrogen, sodium, and alkaline phosphatase were also seen. The rapid onset and severity of neurological signs mirror what has been reported for human cases of disease caused by EEE.
Reed
Douglas S
DS
Center for Aerobiological Sciences, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA. doug.reed@det.amedd.army.mil
Lackemeyer
Matthew G
MG
Garza
Nicole L
NL
Norris
Sarah
S
Gamble
Scott
S
Sullivan
Lawrence J
LJ
Lind
Cathleen M
CM
Raymond
Jo Lynne
JL
D000336:Aerosols; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004663:Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine / Q000502:physiology*; D020242:Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000821:virology; D008252:Macaca fascicularis / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors
D000336:Aerosols