A naturally occurring epizootic of simian agent 8 in the baboon.

An epizootic of genital lesions was observed on baboons (four Papio sub-species) housed in two different outdoor breeding corrals. Serological analysis revealed strong prevalence of antibodies to Simian Agent 8 (SA8). This herpesvirus was subsequently recovered from skin lesions and identified by restriction endonuclease digestion of infected cell DNA. Observations of lesion type, frequency and location were suggestive of venereal transmission. The remarkable similarity between infection resulting from SA8 in baboons and herpes simplex virus in man suggests that the baboon is an excellent model in which to study genital herpes virus transmission and infection.

Herpesvirus simiae (B virus): replication of the virus and identification of viral polypeptides in infected cells.

The events and products of replication of Herpesvirus simiae (B virus) in Vero cells were studied. The time course of the synthetic events of DNA replication and protein synthesis were found to be similar to the processes of the herpes simplex viruses and SA 8. Infectious progeny virus were detected by 4 hours post infection and were first found extracellularly between 6 and 8 hours post infection (PI). As in the case of SA 8, all cell lines tested were permissive for lytic infection by B virus. Analyses of B virus-infected cells by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) revealed approximately 50 infected cell polypeptides (ICP) ranging in molecular weight from about 26,000 to 239,000 daltons. The kinetics of synthesis of the ICPs were also identified. At least nine glucosamine-containing glycopeptides were noted ranging from 133,000 to 29,000 daltons.

ELISA for detection of group-common and virus-specific antibodies in human and simian sera induced by herpes simplex and related simian viruses.

A rapid (3.5 h) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of serum antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and to two antigenically related monkey viruses, simian agent 8 (SA8) and Herpesvirus simiae (B virus). Crude preparations of detergent solubilized infected cells and similarly treated control mock-infected cells served as antigens for coating wells in microplates. Biotinylated protein A and avidin-conjugated alkaline phosphatase were used to detect antibodies in sera from different species (humans, monkeys and rabbits). Three prototype assays are described with three degrees of specificity. Common or specific determinants on the viral antigens could be assayed in simple competition tests using similar antigen preparations to those coating the wells. The specific assays permitted rapid differential serodiagnosis of antibodies to human and simian herpesviruses.

Rapid identification of herpesvirus simiae (B virus) DNA from clinical isolates in nonhuman primate colonies.

A rapid, simple technique, based on restriction endonuclease analysis of radioactively labeled infected cell DNA, is described for identification of Herpesvirus simiae (B virus) infection in clinical isolates from nonhuman primates. Isolates can be screened within 2-3 days from the time of collection of a specimen from a suspect lesion to final viral identification. Isolates were obtained from eight animals with suspected B virus infections. The results indicated the presence of B virus in each of the eight animals, each isolate unique from the others, but with the dominant prototypic pattern of the laboratory strain of B virus (E2490) and not HSV-1 (KOS), HSV-2 (186), or SA8 (3264).

Conjunctival biopsy in sarcoidosis.

Excisional biopsy, under slit lamp visualization, makes conjunctival biopsies a viable alternative to bronchoscopy as the initial diagnostic step. The authors report their experience on excisional biopsies of the palpebral conjunctiva in 16 patients suspected of having sarcoidosis.