title: Simian varicella virus reactivation in cynomolgus monkeys.
abstract: SVV infection of primates closely resembles VZV infection of humans. Like VZV, SVV becomes latent in ganglionic neurons. We used this model to study the effect of immunosuppression on varicella reactivation. Cynomolgus monkeys latently infected with SVV were irradiated and treated with tacrolimus and prednisone. Of four latently infected monkeys that were immunosuppressed and subjected to the stress of transportation and isolation, one developed zoster, and three others developed features of subclinical reactivation. Another non-immunosuppressed latently infected monkey that was subjected to the same stress of travel and isolation showed features of subclinical reactivation. Virus reactivation was confirmed not only by the occurrence of zoster in one monkey, but also by the presence of late SVV RNA in ganglia, and the detection of SVV DNA in non-ganglionic tissue, and SVV antigens in skin, ganglia and lung.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology , University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO 80262, USA. ravi.mahalingam@uchsc.edu
authors.forename: Ravi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mahalingam
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Traina-Dorge
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wellish
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lorino
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sanford
authors.forename: Erin P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Ribka
authors.forename: Scott J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Alleman
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brazeau
authors.forename: Donald H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Gilden
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005724:Ganglia / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D018140:Varicellovirus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology*; D014775:Virus Activation; D014965:X-Rays
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011241:Prednisone; D016559:Tacrolimus