Trachoma Virus Research Articles

Nasal Adenocarcinoma in a Taiwan Macaque

Although a variety of neoplasms have been reported in nonhuman primates [ 5 ] , tumors of the nasopharyngeal region are rare. Amelobastic odontomas have been found in the Celebes [2] and Rhesus monkeys [6]; oral soft tissue tumors have been found in the spider monkey [4], and bone neoplasms of the cranial-facial region of Rhesus monkeys [ 3 ] . We report a nasal cavity adenocarcinoma with metastasis t o the lung in a Taiwan monkey, Mucaca cyclopis. The macaque was a 10-year-old male that had been housed with 20-25 healthy monkeys in a primate holding room. The other monkeys were used for trachoma virus studies in Taiwan. The macaque had not been used in any study for 18 months prior to discovery of the tumor. A mass about 3 centimeters in diameter was found in the left nasal cavity causing swelling in the left maxilla. Biopsy of the lesion showed it to be a papillary adenocarcinoma. The tumor continued to grow to about 6 centimeters in diameter and eventually ulcerated through the nasal dermis. The mass was surgically removed and the face reconstructed by plastic surgery. Three months later the mass reappeared and was again removed (fig. 1). Because malignant nasal tumors are common in Asians, virologists at the College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, requested that the disease be allowed to progress for several months in order to attempt virus isolation from the tumor. These studies were unfruitful. Thoracic radiographs showed pulmonary metastasis. After erosion of facial bone had become extensive the animal was killed. The tumor had ulcerated through half the facial dermis and was encroaching upon the bony orbit of the left eye. The protruding tumor was gray-tan and friable. In addition, the tumor had replaced the anterior half of the hard palate including the associated dental arcade. Cutting was easy in this area. All lobes of the lung contained foci of various sized metastatic tumors which were harder t o cut than was the primary focus. There were no metastasis in other organs o r structures. The biopsy (fig. 2) taken about a year before the macaque was killed showed papillary adenocarcinoma of interconnecting fronds and islands of neoplastic cells. Mitotic figures were numerous. The neoplastic foci in the lungs tended to be solitary adenocarcinomatous nodules (fig. 3) with numerous mitotic figures. Special stains showed mucin in some areas. Since the history on this monkey included exposure to the trachoma virus only and since it had not been exposed to any other experimentation, speculation on

Records of eye-frequenting lepidoptera from man.

Eye-frequenting noctuids have been known from Africa since 1915 and from Southeast Asia since 1958. Their hosts are wild and domesticated members of the mammalian orders Artiodactyla, Perissodactyla and Proboscidea and include cattle, water buffalo, sheep, sambar, antelope, pigs, horses, multes, and elephants. Previous work in northern Thailand has shown that the Noctuidae, Pyralidae and Geometridae include species that quite regularly feed on lachrymal secretions, pus and blood of some of the above-mentioned mammals. Recent observations made in Thailand have revealed that they also frequent the eyes of human beings where they often feed on lachrymal secretions, other ocular discharges and possibly blood. The findings recorded in this paper are based on observations made in northern Thailand under outdoor and indoor experimental conditions. Of the 20 known species of eye-frequenting moths which regularly trouble mammals in Thailand, 6 were recorded on human beings. The photographs are the first taken which show these moths on man. In addition, records from Ceylon, southern India and Burma are included, together with some of the more striking cases observed of eye-frequenting moths troubling human beings. The Lepidoptera concerned have long been suspected of being the vectors of bovine diseases; in view of these new findings it is evident that these moths will have to be considered as potential vectors of the trachoma virus and of other causal agents of eye diseases, for example keratoconjunctivitis, ophthalmia, “pink-eye,” in human beings.

HERBERT'S PITS.

It has long been known that the virus of trachoma can affect the cornea and limbus as well as the conjunctiva. During the active phase the superior limbus exhibits follicles composed of aggregations of lymphocytes surrounding a germinal center of reticuloendothelial cells. Regression of the follicles leads to depressed, round thinned areas known clinically as Herbert's pits. The present case exhibits the histopathology of Herbert's pits. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by Dr. Phillips Thygeson. The eyes were subsequently obtained at autopsy. <h3>Report of Case</h3><h3>History.</h3> —This 92-year-old white male had lived in the Middle East for over 20 years. He had experienced many bouts of congested, irritated eyes. Clinical examination revealed a bilateral limbal pannus more marked superiorly than inferiorly, Superiorly there were many round, pitted lesions (Fig 1). The patient died of pneumonia. The eyes were obtained at autopsy and submitted to the University of California Eye Pathology

Electron microscopic studies on the mode of reproduction of trachoma virus and psittacosis virus in cell cultures

The mode of reproduction of trachoma and psittacosis virus in cell cultures may be summarized as follows: The mechanism by which the infective particles enter the host cells is viropexis. The engulfed small particles retain their integrity in the vacuoles bounded by membranes which were derived from the cell surface membranes. There is no evidence for morphologic eclipse. Without loss of their individuality, the small particles become transformed or reorganized immediately into large particles. In other words, the origin of the large particles (initial bodies) is in the small particles (elementary bodies). There is no evidence for the formation of viral matrix in the cell cytoplasm as a precursor of large particles. In the vacuoles, the large particles increase in size and multiply by means of division. Large particles undergo repeated division before maturation occurs. It seems that large particles have an organelle acting as a division centrum. The sequence of steps in the elaboration of the small particles from the large particles is described.

TRACHOMA VIRUSES ISOLATED IN THE UNITED STATES. 8. SEPARATION OF TRIC VIRUSES FROM RELATED AGENTS BY IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE.

SummaryYolk sacs infected with trachoma, inclusion conjunctivitis, lymphogranuloma venereum, psittacosis 6BC or meningopneumonitis were extracted repeatedly with fluorocarbon. The resulting suspension of elementary bodies contained little egg material. The particles were distinct, and reacted with strain-specific rabbit antisera as measured by indirect fluorescence. The homologous antiserum usually yielded the highest titer; heterologous antisera showed equal, intermediate or no reaction; antisera to normal yolk sac were negative. Psittacosis 6BC and meningopneumonitis could be separated easily from TRIG agents. LGV, an IC isolate, and BOUR, a trachoma isolate, showed much cross-reaction, but BOUR could be differentiated regularly from another trachoma isolate (ASGH).

TRACHOMA VIRUSES ISOLATED IN UNITED STATES. VII. RELATIVE TOXICITY OF DIFFERENT STRAINS FOR WHITE MICE.

SummaryYolk-sac suspensions of 3 strains of trachoma and 3 strains of inclusion conjunctivitis virus isolated and grown in this laboratory, and the TE 55 strain of trachoma, were tested for toxicity for mice following intravenous injection. All suspensions were equally toxic for mice, requiring between 3.3 × 105 and 8.4 × 106 ELD 50 per MLD 50, and all contained similar numbers of virus particles, an average of 6 × 109/g of yolk sac. The egg-lethal titers of TE 55 virus suspensions were 10-fold higher than those of the other strains tested, but this strain was no more toxic for mice and possessed the same total number of particles per g of yolk sac. Biological differences of the strains, such as virulence for chick embryos and pathogenicity for the conjunctiva, do not appear to depend on the relative mouse toxicity of the strains.

EGG INFECTIVITY ASSAY OF TRACHOMA VIRUS.

SummaryOur method of egg infectivity assay for trachoma virus has been described. Because trachoma viruses grow more slowly in eggs (or are less lethal) than the related psittacosis viruses the highest dilutions which infect may not kill in 13 days. The egg infectious dose (based on demonstration of elementary bodies in dead eggs and those surviving 13 days) gave higher titers and more reproducible results than the egg lethal dose. Strain differences in egg pathogenicity were demonstrated. It took 5 infectious doses of the Bour and TW-3 strains to produce one lethal dose, while 80 infectious doses of the TW-1 strain equalled one lethal dose.

Trachoma Viruses Isolated in the United States : VI. Cross-Immunization Studies in Cynomolgus Monkeys with Strains of Trachoma and Inclusion Conjunctivitis Viruses

Trachoma Viruses Isolated in the United States : VI. Cross-Immunization Studies in Cynomolgus Monkeys with Strains of Trachoma and Inclusion Conjunctivitis Viruses

Classification of Trachoma Virus Strains by Protection of Mice from Toxic Death

Summary Twenty-nine trachoma virus strains isolated on Taiwan and nine trachoma strains and two inclusion conjunctivitis strains obtained from other areas of the world have been tested in mice for cross-protection against intravenous toxicity. Crude yolk sac suspensions of these TRIC viruses were used both for protection and challenge. Protection was produced by intravenous injection of one-third and then two-thirds a minimum lethal toxic dose 14 and 7 days prior to challenge. All 29 of the Taiwan trachoma strains fell into one of two cross-protecting groups designated as the TW-1 and TW-3 groups. Three trachoma strains from New Delhi protected against each other and members of the TW-3 group. Two trachoma strains from Apache Indians in Arizona cross-protected with the TW-1 group. A Saudi Arabia and a Gambia trachoma strain protected against each other but not against the other strains tested. Two trachoma and two inclusion conjunctivitis strains failed to cross-protect with any strain. Therefore, seven different cross-protecting types were demonstrated. It is concluded that the total number of different groups of TRIC virus strains in the mouse toxicity prevention test are not yet known, but that in a given geographic area (as exemplified by Taiwan with two groups) the number of different groups is limited.

THE WIDENING WORLD OF CHILDHOOD: PATHS TOWARD MASTERY

the lack of inclusive dates covered by most authors. In Significance of Lipids Animal Franklin presents a viral classification which special note is made of structural lipids. This is followed by an excellent discussion on virus multiplication which emphasizes the role played by cellular membranes. This article will be of great benefit to virologists a number of disciplines. The Etiology, Epidemiology and Prevention of Viral Hepatitis is reviewed by Ward and Krugman. One wonders if conventional concepts, tied once again into a neat bundle, will aid significantly the solution of this baffling problem. Bernkopf covers the subject of trachoma virus in the midst of a niew and dynamic phase of trachoma research. Bat as Reservoir of Viruses Nature by Sulkin discusses the bat reference to rab)ies as well as several arbor viruses. The final two articles are entitled Tumor Virus: Cell Relationships, a Critical Survey of Findings the Polyoma System by Prince, and Advances the Production of Smallpox Vaccine by Dostal. These last four articles serve their purpose well. W. DAV'ID McBnlIDE

Field studies of protection from infection by experimental trachoma virus vaccine in preschool-aged children on Taiwan.

Field trials of experimental egg-grown trachoma virus vaccine have been carried out in preschool-aged children in 2 rural areas on Taiwan. Four hundred and five children randomly divided between a placebo and trachoma vaccine groups have been followed for 2 1/2 years during which 4 injections of vaccine have been given. Eighteen per cent of the placebo group have converted to trachoma compared to 8% of those receiving vaccine. An average of 2.98 months of trachoma have been observed in the placebo group compared to 1.22 months in the vaccine group. Both these measures suggested that the vaccine was approximately 60% effective in reducing trachoma. A third study in an urban area with 89 children showed similar vaccine effectiveness.

Demonstration of complement-fixation titres against the speciesspecific trachoma antigen in sera of trachoma patients.

Semi-purified elementary body suspensions, prepared or preserved in three different ways, have been compared as to their species-specific CF-activity as revealed both against Bedsonia-negative sera of trachoma patients (of known stage), and against psittacosis-positive sera of men and animals.Two of these antigens (the SPG-formol-antigen and the SPG-glycerol-antigen) revealed a positive species-specific CF-reaction in 61–100% of the Bedsonia-negative serum samples obtained from trachoma patients, with titres ranging from 1/2 to 1/128.Various parameters (as percentage proportion of positive reactors, CF-titre, duration of the disease, clinical stage of trachoma, etc.) have been analysed for correlation, and the results obtained with the different antigens are compared with one another.The most useful of the three antigens, showing a good species-specific CF-reactivity and no anticomplementary activity, was found to be the ‘SPG-formolantigen’. However because of its group-specific reactivity, for detection of species-specific trachoma antibodies in routine, it could be used only with Bedsonia-negative samples of sera. Because of the thermolability of its species-specific component, the SPG-formol-antigen proved to be liable to deterioration.We have pleasure in thanking to Dr F. B. Gordon for help in procuring bibliography and the viable strain of trachoma virus. We wish to express our thanks also to Mrs R. Šepetavic and to Miss M. Krečo for their technical assistance.

Pulmonary infection of adult white mice with the TE 55 strain of trachoma virus.

SUMMARY: The effects of intranasal inoculation of mice more than 6 weeks old with the TE 55 strain of trachoma virus were studied. The histology and course of the pulmonary lesions produced are described. Infected mice showed a poor response of complement-fixing antibodies after infection. Precipitating antigens were detected in infected mouse lungs.

Free Toxic Substance of Trachoma Virus

In a previous experiment in human volunteers¹it was shown that frequent instillations of virus-free ultrafiltrate of trachomatous material caused trachoma-like clinical symptoms. However, this experiment was done before it was possible to cultivate trachoma virus; therefore, the circumstances were very much limited. The materials all were obtained from infected human conjunctivas. The control materials—in the strict sense, the normal human conjunctivas—were not available for the experiment. Thus, the experiment was lacking in indisputability. Since 1957,²trachoma virus has been cultivated in the yolk sac of fertilized eggs. Thus, any amount of the virus can be propagated in the laboratory, and, in addition, proper control materials are available. In the present experiment, therefore, the previous data were reexamined using egg-grown virus of trachoma. <h3>Materials</h3><h3>Virus-Strains.</h3> —Two strains of trachoma virus were used. The one is Mita-strain, which was isolated by us in Japan,³and the other is

Immunofluorescent Studies with Trachoma and Related Antigens

Summary Methods are presented for the utilization of immunofluorescence in field and laboratory studies of the PLT antigens: Antigen-antibody reactions produced easily discernible fluorescence of PLT viruses in yolk sac and tissue culture. Elementary body inclusions in conjunctival scrapings from the eyes of trachomatous patients yielded a brilliant stain. Evidence for the specificity of these reactions is discussed.The titration of PLT antisera by fluorescent antibody is presented.The superiority of fluorescent antibody to Macchiavello staining in the early detection of trachoma virus in egg isolation passages is detailed.A screening test for the presence of PLT antibodies in serum is described, based on the specific inhibition of immunofluorescence.The enhancement of serologic specificity of trachoma antiserum by cross-absorption with trachoma or LGV antigens is reported. These studies, if confirmed by others, constitute another step in the serologic differentiation of the psittacosis-lymphogranuloma venereum-trachoma group of viruses.

Observations on Incidence and Mechanism of Egg Insusceptibility to Trachoma Viruses

Summary In the fall of 1959 and the summer of 1960 there were periods of a few weeks when embryonated eggs failed to support the growth of trachoma and inclusion conjunctivitis viruses. Yolk sac material harvested from such insusceptible eggs and stored at -40°C for several months interfered with the lethal effect of trachoma virus challenge in susceptible eggs. Quantitation of these phenomena has been attempted and possible explanations proposed. During 1961 careful, frequent tests failed to reveal a period of insusceptibility. Eggs laid during and after a time of extreme heat appeared to be fully susceptible to psittacosis and trachoma viruses. Thus environmental heat and associated nutritional disturbances appear less promising as an explanation for egg insusceptibility than a transmissible, interfering agent.

The effect of trachoma virus vaccine on the course of experimental trachoma infection in blind human volunteers.

The TRIC-Taiwan-1-1958 strain of elementary body virus isolated from a trachoma patient on Taiwan has been proven capable of reproducing trachoma by experimental inoculation of six human volunteers. Virus material derived from the seventh passage in embryonated hen eggs caused the clinical picture of trachoma in every inoculation, even at the dilution of 10(-4) of infected yolk sacs (approximately 1 EID(50)). There was a similar clinical picture with each inoculation beginning with an acute follicular conjunctivitis which progressed for 4 months and then persisted with chronic changes until 9 months when treatment was begun. The illness was generally more acute than would be expected in natural trachoma. That trachoma was reproduced was shown by the involvement of the cornea with epithelial keratitis and pannus, and by the occurrence of gelatinous follicles and eventual cicatrization of the conjunctiva. These clinical findings were supported by repeated demonstrations of typical inclusion bodies of Halberstaedter-Prowazek from conjunctival and even corneal cells, by repeated reisolation of elementary body virus in egg yolk sacs, and by the development of complement-fixing antibody with a "specific" trachoma antigen in each volunteer. Control inoculations with adenovirus type 4 and normal yolk sac showed different clinical and laboratory findings. Experimental trachoma vaccine was given to three of the volunteers to study its effect on the course of illness. An antibody response to the vaccine was demonstrated and there was a modification of disease in the volunteers receiving vaccine. While the three volunteers who received placebo each developed cross-infection of their uninoculated eye and had an acute reactivation of the bilateral disease after 1 to 2 months of antibiotic eye ointment therapy, the vaccinated volunteers remained free of infection in uninoculated eyes and showed no relapse after ointment therapy. Treatment with sulfamethoxypyridazine, a sulfa drug with prolonged action, proved to be an effective and relatively simple method of therapy for experimental trachoma.

Cytochemistry of trachoma virus replication in tissue cultures.

Cytochemistry of trachoma virus replication in tissue cultures.

Antigenic relationshkps of trachoma virus strains in the mouse toxicity prevention test.

Annals of the New York Academy of SciencesVolume 98, Issue 1 p. 347-351 ANTIGENIC RELATIONSHIPS OF TRACHOMA VIRUS STRAINS IN THE MOUSE TOXICITY PREVENTION TEST* Ik-chin Chang, Ik-chin Chang The United States Naval Medical Research Unit No. 2 (NAMRU-2), Taipei, Taiwan Dr. Chang was a NAMRU-2 fellow from Yonsei University Medical School, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea.Search for more papers by this authorSan-pin Wang, San-pin Wang The United States Naval Medical Research Unit No. 2 (NAMRU-2), Taipei, TaiwanSearch for more papers by this authorJ. Thomas Grayston, J. Thomas Grayston The United States Naval Medical Research Unit No. 2 (NAMRU-2), Taipei, Taiwan Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 5, Wash.Search for more papers by this author Ik-chin Chang, Ik-chin Chang The United States Naval Medical Research Unit No. 2 (NAMRU-2), Taipei, Taiwan Dr. Chang was a NAMRU-2 fellow from Yonsei University Medical School, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea.Search for more papers by this authorSan-pin Wang, San-pin Wang The United States Naval Medical Research Unit No. 2 (NAMRU-2), Taipei, TaiwanSearch for more papers by this authorJ. Thomas Grayston, J. Thomas Grayston The United States Naval Medical Research Unit No. 2 (NAMRU-2), Taipei, Taiwan Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 5, Wash.Search for more papers by this author First published: March 1962 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.1962.tb30557.xCitations: 15 † This study was supported in part by funding under Public Law 480, Section 104 (c) and in part by the Office of Naval Research, contract Nonr-2121 (07). The opinions and assertions contained herein are those of the authors and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the views of the Navy Department or the Naval Service at large. Reprint requests should be addressed to the Commanding Officer, NAMRU-2, Box 14, APO 63, San Francisco, Calif. AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume98, Issue1The Biology of the Trachoma AgentMarch 1962Pages 347-351 RelatedInformation

Trachoma viruses isolated in the United States. V. Growth rates and drug inhibition patterns in embryonated eggs.

SummaryAll isolates of trachoma and inclusion conjunctivitis viruses from the United States in early egg passages grew in embryonated eggs at a rate similar to that of a Chinese isolate after many egg passages. During the phase of logarithmic growth there was an average increment of 1.3 logs of infective virus per day per gram of yolk sac. The size of inoculum determined the delay until the onset of logarithmic growth, but had no influence on rate of growth. The action of penicillin, tetracycline, or tylosin was fairly constant on each virus strain. However, there was much overlapping in drug-virus patterns so that the over-all effect of each drug could be depicted as a broad band. It now appears doubtful that the drug-susceptibility of virus strains is sufficiently fixed to serve as a genetic marker.