Antibody Patterns to Herpesvirus saimiri-Induced Antigens in Owl Monkeys2

Abstract

Antibody-response patterns to 3 major groups of Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS)-associated antigens [early antigens (EA), late antigens (LA), membrane antigens (MA)] in 10 owl monkeys infected with HVS were related to the clinical course of HVS-induced disease. Results are also presented which show that EA is produced 4–8 hours earlier than LA in HVS-infected cells providing further evidence that these were 2 distinct groups of antigens. In animals that developed neoplasms, antibodies against all 3 groups of antigens were found; however, the antibody response to EA was delayed, in general, 2–4 weeks compared with the responses to LA and MA. Two owl monke,s inoculated with HVS and one inoculated with HVS-induced tumor cells did not develop gross or clinical signs of disease; antibodies to LA and MA, but not EA, were detected in serum samples from these monkeys. These results provide additional evidence that the antibody response to EA may indicate lymphoproliferation (or cell transformation).