Simian virus 40-associated fatal interstitial pneumonia and renal tubular necrosis in a rhesus monkey.

Simian virus 40 was isolated from a young adult rhesus monkey dying of naturally acquired interstitial pneumonia and renal tubular necrosis. Light microscopic examination demonstrated basophilic intranuclear inclusions associated with the lesions in the lung and the kidney. These inclusions were positive for antigen of simian virus 40 by immunoperoxidase staining of paraffin sections of affected organs. Electron microscopy revealed characteristic papovarirus particles in these tissues. This study is the first report indicating that simian virus 40 may produce pulmonary and renal disease in its natural host.