Immunologic Studies with Yellow Fever and Selected African Group B Arboviruses in Rhesus and Vervet Monkeys (original) (raw)

In a series of experiments, five group B viruses, West Nile (WN), Wesselsbron (WSL), Zika, Banzi (BAN), and yellow fever (YF), were inoculated into rhesus or vervet monkeys. The monkeys were later challenged with YF (Seganga) or YF (Asibi). Primary inoculation with any of the viruses used resulted in viremia, a varying febrile response, and fall of total leukocyte count and percentage of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Rhesus monkeys immunized with WN, BAN, or Zika were not protected against challenge with YF. After YF challenge, monkeys immunized with YF (Ethiopia 19) or WSL had no detectable viremia, and Zika-immunized vervet monkeys demonstrated a reduced viremia. It is suggested that cross-protection between group B arboviruses has an influence upon the epidemiology of YF in Africa.

Author Notes

*Seconded from Laboratory Branch, National Communicable Disease Center, Bureau of Disease Prevention and Environmental Control, Public Health Service, U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Atlanta, Georgia 30333.

†Visiting Wellcome Trust Scholar. Present address: St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, London, England.