JohnL. Sever

EPIDEMIC OF ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY IN RHESUS MONKEYS

A syndrome closely resembling acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in man has been identified in a group of 64 rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) maintained outdoors at the California Primate Research Center. The syndrome is characterised by generalised lymphadenopathy, severe opportunistic infections including cytomegalovirus, chronic wasting, and high mortality. In 1 animal a multifocal cutaneous fibrosarcoma developed. This syndrome in monkeys may provide an animal model for human AIDS.

Polymyositis in an immunodeficiency disease in monkeys induced by a type D retrovirus

Fifty percent of primates with acquired immunodeficiency caused by a well-characterized type D retrovirus (SAIDS D) developed clinical, laboratory, and histologic features of polymyositis. By use of specific antisera and immunochemical techniques, we found the virus in the lymphoid cells surrounding muscle fibers and invading the endomysia septa. SAIDS D virus was isolated from the involved muscles and infected myotubes of normal muscle in tissue culture. These results suggest that retroviruses, a group of viruses increasingly associated with human diseases, can cause polymyositis with immunodeficiency in nonhuman primates and could play a role in human polymyositis.

VIRUS-LIKE PARTICLES AND NUCLEOPROTEIN-TYPE FILAMENTS IN BRAIN TISSUE FROM TWO PATIENTS WITH CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE

Abstract Two types of particles resembling virions were observed in biopsy tissue from each of two patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. In addition, aggregates of nucleoprotein-type filaments were seen in scattered unidentifiable cytoplasmic fragments or in extracellular spaces. A plaque was present in the white matter of one of the specimens and in the neuropil of the second. Status spongiosus was observed in the grey matter in both cases.

CSF “monoclonal” bands in chronic relapsing polyneuropathy

The characteristics and temporal profiles of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum immunoglobulin patterns on agarose gel electrophoresis were studied in 47 patients with acute idiopathic polyneuropathy (AIP) and 15 patients with chronic relapsing polyneuropathy (CRP). Nineteen of 47 patients with AIP had transient oligoclonal IgG bands, which disappeared when the neurologic signs subsided. By contrast, 14 of 15 patients with CRP had a “monoclonal” (single) IgG band, which (1) was unchanged on repeated CSF examinations over 18 months, (2) was unaffected by corticosteroid therapy, and (3) did not correlate with the severity or chronicity of the disease. Serum protein patterns and in situ central nervous system IgG synthesis and IgG:albumin index were normal in the CRP patients. The origin of the band and the nature of the putative antigen(s) that the band may be directed against were not identified. Our findings suggest that different immunopathogenic mechanisms may be operating in CRP, compared with AIP. The stable IgG band in CRP may reflect response to a persisting antigenic stimulation and, with further experience, may prove to be of prognostic significance by furnishing early in the illness: (1) a clue to the subsequent course of the disease, and (2) possible guidance on therapeutic decisions.

Some Characteristics of SSPE Measles Virus

Summary The in vitro comparison of two SSPE measles virus isolates and conventional measles virus demonstrated antigenic identity between these viruses. However, neutralization tests showed an avidity of the SSPE patients neutralizing antibody towards the wild measles virus rather than to the virus isolated from diseased brain. The cytopathology and plaque formation of these measles virus strains revealed greater resemblance between the SSPE measles and the vaccine strain of the virus than between SSPE measles and wild virus. Differences were found in the growth characteristics of the two SSPE virus isolates as measured by tissue culture assays.

Morphological Changes of an Inflammatory Myopathy in Rhesus Monkeys with Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Abstract Eleven of 25 rhesus monkeys which died of simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS) caused by infection with a type D retrovirus related to Mason-Pfizer monkey virus showed evidence of muscle weakness and atrophy and had elevated levels of muscle enzymes. Biopsies of affected muscle studied with enzyme histochemistry showed the characteristic features of polymyositis. Inflammatory cells consisting of lymphocytes, macrophages, and large vacuolated bizarre-shaped cells of undetermined type were surrounding or invading muscle fibers and were present in the perivascular spaces and endomysia septa. Within the perivascular infiltrates, lymphocytes were abundant but very few macrophages were present. Other myopathic features including profound proliferation of fibrous tissue, necrosis, and phagocytosis of muscle fibers were noted to a variable degree. The retrovirus was isolated from affected muscles. The clinical and historical features of polymyositis in rhesus monkeys with SAIDS are very similar to those of human polymyositis. The polymyositis in SAIDS induced by a type D retrovirus related to Mason-Pfizer monkey virus is an excellent primate model to study the mechanism and morphological changes of viral-induced muscle damage.

Retrovirus-like particles in salivary glands, prostate and testes of aids patients

Abstract AIDS associated retrovirus-like particles were identified in the salivary gland, prostate and/or testicle of two AIDS patients. These findings further suggest that saliva and semen may transmit the infection to susceptible individuals.

EXPERIMENTAL CEREBROVASCULAR LESIONS IN CONGENITAL AND NEONATAL RUBELLA-VIRUS INFECTIONS OF FERRETS

Abstract Transplacental infection of ferret embryos with rubella virus was established by virus isolation from maternal and embryonic tissues. Examination of serial sections of these embryos showed vascular degeneration of intracranial branches of the internal carotid arteries. Acute lesions of similar but more dramatic nature were also found in the brain of a 35-day-old ferret puppy which had been inoculated with rubella virus 24-48 hours after birth. The similarity of these lesions to the cerebrovascular lesions in human embryos with congenital rubella infection is noted.

Serologic studies of MS patients, controls, and patients with other neurologic diseases Antibodies to HTLV‐I, II, III

We have studied the frequency of human retrovirus antibody (HTLV-I, II, III) in the serum and CSF of patients with MS, matched controls, and patients with optic neuritis, idiopathic and postencephalitic Parkinsons disease, neuropathies, polymyositis, ALS, and postpoliomyelitis. Except for the postpoliomyelitis samples, all samples were collected prior to 1980. Contrary to a previous published report, no significant levels of antibody to HTLV-I, II, or III were found in the MS patients or controls. No retrovirus antibody was detected in patients with the other neurologic diseases.

MEASLES-ANTIBODY TITRES IN SIBSHIPS OF PATIENTS WITH SUBACUTE SCLEROSING PANENCEPHALITIS AND CONTROLS

Abstract The serum antibody titres of measles in patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (S.S.P.E.) were considerably higher than those of matched controls. The measles titres among siblings of S.S.P.E. patients were in the same range as those of the siblings of the controls. This finding is compatible with the concept that the host response to the measles infection preceding S.S.P.E., rather than an immunogenetic deficiency in the family, is the important factor. The finding of normal titres to measles in the siblings of S.S.P.E patients raises further questions about the significance of the observations of raised measles antibody titres in the siblings of multiple-sclerosis patients.