Reaction of squirrel monkeys to intratracheal inoculation with influenza/A/New Jersey/76 (swine) virus

Abstract

Searching for a laboratory model 9 squirrel monkeys were inoculated intratracheally with 107 median egg infectious doses of influenza virus type A/New Jersey/8/76 (Hsw1N1) (swine influenza virus). They responded with clinically detectable illness including fever, leukopenia, decreased food consumption, increased respiratory rate, occasional coughing, labored breathing, nasal discharge, and lethargy. Convalescence was well advanced by day 10. All monkeys excreted virus for 7 to 8 days. A scoring procedure (illness score) was developed for use in studies of vaccine and chemotherapeutic efficacy.