VIRAL GENE EXPRESSION DURING ACUTE SIMIAN VARICELLA VIRUS INFECTION

*W.L. Gray (1), Lisa Mullis (1), & K.F. Soike (2)
(1) Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, Univ. of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR; (2) Tulane Regional Primate Center, Covington, LA

Simian varicella virus (SVV) causes a natural varicella-like disease in nonhuman primates. Outbreaks of simian varicella occur sporadically in primate facilities. Simian varicella is used as a model for investigation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) pathogenesis. In this study, SVV gene expression was analyzed in tissues of acutely infected African green monkeys. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed viral antigens and necrosis in the skin, lungs, and liver of infected monkeys. In contrast, histopathology was not evident in the neural ganglia, the site of viral latency. SVV DNA was detected in tissues examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Reverse transcriptase PCR analysis demonstrated expression of specific SVV immediate early, early, and late genes in tissues of acutely infected monkeys. This study provides a foundation for further investigation of the role of viral genes in varicella pathogenesis and latency.

Corresponding Author: Wayne L. Gray, Ph.D., Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA