Nonhuman primate models for non-A, non-B hepatitis.

The three epidemiological forms of human non-A, non-B hepatitis have been studied by experimentally infecting non-human primates. The chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) has been widely studied as a model for the epidemiological forms referred to as "blood-transmitted" and "coagulation-factor-transmitted" non-A, non-B hepatitis. Transmission of the "enteric" epidemiological form of non-A, non-B hepatitis to chimpanzees has been reported by one laboratory but remains to be confirmed. Two marmoset (tamarin) species, Saguinus mystax and S. labiatus, have been experimentally infected with the "blood-transmitted" form; S. mystax has been infected with the "enteric" form. A preliminary report suggesting susceptibility of marmosets to the "coagulation-factor-transmitted" form needs to be confirmed. The cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) has been infected with the "enteric" form. Although the relationship between non-A, non-B hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear, HCC has been reported in one chimpanzee, nearly 7 years after experimental infection with a non-A, non-B hepatitis virus.