Clinical and pathogenetic studies of Medical Lake macaque virus infections in cynomolgus monkeys (simian varicella).

The Medical Lake macaque (MLM) virus produced varicelliform eruptions in cynomolgus monkeys. Not all experimentally infected monkeys developed overt disease; viremia was found, and specific antibodies were detected. Specific lesions were found in skin, lymph nodes, and spleen. Focal inflammatory lesions were present in liver, pancreas, and lung (after intratracheal instillation of virus). MLM virus was recovered from these and other organs. The temporal movements of MLM virus in and out of primary and secondary target organs remained partially unsolved. MLM virus is related to the Wu strain of varicella virus.