Serial Transmission in Rhesus Monkeys of an Agent Related to Hepatitis-associated Antigen

Abstract

An agent that stimulated antibody to hepatitis-associated antigen (HAA) was transmitted to rhesus monkeys and serially passed in this species. In contrast to the results obtained with rhesus monkeys, vervets appeared to be refractory to infection with the agent. Antibody responses in infected rhesus monkeys were similar in magnitude and pattern to seroconversions observed in humans naturally or artificially infected with the virus of hepatitis B. However, in contrast to human infection, infection of the rhesus was inapparent and not associated with elevated levels of transaminase or obvious pathology of the liver.