Successful infection of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) with human varicella-zoster virus.

The common marmoset, Callithrix jacchus, can be infected with human varicella-zoster virus (VZV), both wild-type strain KMcC and attenuated vaccine strain Oka/Merck. Infection was accomplished with either whole-cell-associated or cell extract VZV by combined oral-nasal-conjunctival application and was characterized by substantial and persistent anti-VZV antibody responses. The infectivity of VZV for marmosets was destroyed by treatment of inocula with heat or UV light. Diluted inocula with as few as 40 PFU/ml were infectious for marmosets. The lungs were demonstrated to be a major site of viral replication; both the presence of viral antigens and signs of pneumonia were demonstrated in lung tissues. Four serial passages of VZV KMcC were carried out in C. jacchus by a process of in vitro isolation and culturing of VZV from infected lung tissue and reapplication of the cultured isolates to fresh animals. The isolated viruses were identified as VZV both serologically and by restriction endonuclease analyses. The C. jacchus infectivity model should prove useful for determining the efficacy of subunit and live recombinant VZV vaccines as well as for the study of zoster.

Identification of lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus as the etiological agent of genetically restricted, age-dependent polioencephalomyelitis of mice.

The etiological agent of genetically restricted, age-dependent polioencephalomyelitis of mice (the ADPE agent) and several isolates of lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDV) were compared by biological, physical-chemical and antigenic criteria. The data indicate that the ADPE agent is a strain of LDV. Like LDV, the ADPE agent induced a selective elevation of plasma enzymes and splenomegaly in mice. The enzyme-elevating activity and the paralytogenic activity of the ADPE agent preparations were shown to belong to the same virus. The ADPE agent demonstrated LDV-like replication kinetics in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, the ADPE agent required primary mouse macrophages for in vitro replication, as does LDV. In turn, the LDV isolates induced a paralytic disease with ADPE-like lesions in the spinal cords of immunosuppressed C58 mice. However, the LDV isolates showed a stronger dependence on strain and age of mouse for the induction of paralysis than did the ADPE agent. The LDV isolates and the ADPE agent exhibited indistinguishable morphologies, buoyant densities, structural protein patterns, and virion ribonucleic acid sedimentation rates. Furthermore, they displayed strong antigenic cross-reactivity, as determined by cross-protection in vivo and by radioimmunoassay.

Actinomycosis of the colon.

A 44-year-old woman with severe pain in the right upper quadrant, simulating acute cholecystitis, was found to have a large tumour in the transverse colon. Cultures from the mass grew Actinomyces israelii. Actinomycosis may often be missed; involvement of the large bowel is not confined to the appendiceal and cecal areas and may simulate other intra-abdominal conditions.