Pilot experiments with EB virus in owl monkeys (Aotus trivirgatus). III. Serological and biochemical findings in an animal with reticuloproliferative disease.

Nucleic acid hybridization with EB virus complementary RNA has demonstrated unequivocally that EB virus DNA is present in the cells of a continuous lymphoblastoid line established in culture from a pathological lymph node of an owl monkey with reticuloproliferative disease after inoculation with EB virus. There were 48 to 49 EB virus genome equivalents per cell. In addition, serological studies showed that the diseased owl monkey developed specific antibodies to EB virus capsid antigens. The antibodies were first detected by indirect immunofluorescence in serum sampled 13 weeks after inoculation, and were not found in sera from other animals without the disease. None of the monkeys developed heterophile antibodies. The significance of the biochemical and serological findings is discussed in relation to the nature of the reticuloproliferative disease and the possibility of tumour-induction by EB virus.