The pathology of experimental vervet monkey disease in hamsters

Abstract

Although lesions in the organs of hamsters resemble those of monkeys and guinea-pigs, the extension of the pathological process to the brain is a new feature, so far found only in hamsters.

The brain lesions in the hamster consist of capillary proliferations, haemorrhages, microglial changes and very severe astrogliosis. Necrosis of the needle track in i.c. inoculated hamsters is usually very pronounced.

Intracytoplasmic bodies believed to be the infective agent are found in hamsters not only in the liver but also in the kidneys and lung. These bodies are pleomorphic vary in size from 1-3·5 μ in diameter and they are either round or elliptical, and very commonly appear in the liver as ring-shaped structures.