A new simian adenovirus serologically related to human adenovirus type 2 and a chimpanzee with "viral hepatitis".

Abstract

Hillis, W. D. (Dept. Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins Univ. School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Md. 21205), A. C. Gamer and A. I. Hillis. New simian adenovirus serologically related to human adenovirus type 2 from a chimpanzee with “viral hepatitis.” Amer. J. Epid., 1969, 90; 344–353.—An apparently new adenovirus serotype was isolated from the feces of a young chimpanzee with a fatal case of “viral hepatitis.” That the agent, tentatively designated strain “C-2”, is a member of the adenovirus group has been demonstrated by its possession of the group-specific adenovirus CF antigen, its resistance to ether, its distinctive adenovirus morphology, its ability to induce characteristic intranuclear changes in epithelial cells, and its capacity for producing adenovirus-like cytologic effects on mono I avers of epithelial cells. The agent, initially isolated in HEK cells, propagates in cells of both human and non-human origin. The agent displays a latent period of multiplication of some 16+ hours, like that shown by human adenovirus types 1, 2, 5 and 6. Although the agent possesses a hemagglulinin which relates it to the human adenovirus subgroup 3 of Rosen and more specifically displays HAI reactions which relate it reciprocally to human adenovirus type 2, its pattern of intranuclear changes in vitro is more related to that of a human adenovirus group represented by types 3, 4, and 7. The failure of “C-2” virus to show neutralization by human type 2 viral antiserum further distinguishes it from human type 2 adenovirus. In addition, the new agent appears to be unrelated to previously known types of simian adenoviruses, both by hemag-glutination reaction and growth behavior in human epithelial cells. Failure to observe SN of “C-2” virus by human adenovirus type 2 antiserum, despite its serologic relationship to the latter virus by HAI, is presumed to be due to structural differences between penton and hexon antigens of the adenovirus capsid. Evidence is presented for widespread natural infection among chimpanzees by “C-2” virus. Its role in the etiology of the hepatic disease found in its original host remains obscure. Although In one instance “C-2” virus proved capable of inducing pneumonitis in a marmoset, the agent is nonpathogenic for commonly employed varieties of laboratory animals.