Non-Human Primate Models of Orthopoxvirus Infections

Abstract

Smallpox, one of the most destructive diseases, has been successfully eradicated through a worldwide vaccination campaign. Since immunization programs have been stopped, the number of people with vaccinia virus induced immunity is declining. This leads to an increase in orthopoxvirus (OPXV) infections in humans, as well as in animals. Additionally, potential abuse of Variola virus (VARV), the causative agent of smallpox, or monkeypox virus, as agents of bioterrorism, has renewed interest in development of antiviral therapeutics and of safer vaccines. Due to its high risk potential, research with VARV is restricted to two laboratories worldwide. Therefore, numerous animal models of other OPXV infections have been developed in the last decades. Non-human primates are especially suitable due to their close relationship to humans. This article provides a review about on non-human primate models of orthopoxvirus infections.

From the working group "Experimental Pathology" to the department "Pathology Unit" – historical development in retrospect

“…In collaboration with the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), a cow pox virus was isolated. Sequence analyses and phylogenetic investigations showed that it was a novel cow pox virus, which was named calpox virus after its host species ("Callithrix") (Mätz-Rensing et al, 2006Kramski et al, 2010;Schmitt et al, 2014).…”

Dynamics of Pathological and Virological Findings During Experimental Calpox Virus Infection of Common Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

“…Therefore, development of medical interventions and new vaccine strategies and studies on pathogenesis are essential and require animal models, on which the efficacy of new vaccines and therapeutics can be tested. Over the last few decades, considerable progress has been made in developing small animal and nonhuman primate models with different OPXV, among them variola; but none fully mimic the natural route or course of infection in humans [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. The advantage of small animal models is that larger numbers of animals can be used at lower maintenance costs compared to nonhuman primate models.…”

Limited susceptibility of rhesus macaques to a cowpox virus isolated from a lethal outbreak among New World monkeys

“…Over the last decades several animal models for OPXV were developed in NHPs (Schmitt et al, 2014). Unfortunately, none of the animal models fulfills all the criteria needed and all have limitations (Hutson and Damon, 2010;Safronetz et al, 2013).…”

“…Key events of a natural pox infection such as the alteration of the upper respiratory tract, a primary viremic phase and prodromal phases are skipped. Nevertheless, these models cause a systemic disease with mortality rates of up to 100 % and can be used to evaluate the efficacy of anti-OPXV therapeutics (Huggins et al, 2009) and vaccines (summarized in Schmitt et al, 2014).…”