Simian Varicella Virus Pathogenesis in Skin during Varicella and Zoster
Authors
Ravi Mahalingam, Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Brittany Feia, Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Colin Coleman, Cell and Developmental Biology Program, School of Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR 97201, USA.
Kusala Anupindi, Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Pratush Saravanan, Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Amalia Luthens, Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Amalia Bustillos, Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Arpita Das, Division of Microbiology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University, Covington, LA 70433, USA.
Eileen de Haro, Division of Microbiology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University, Covington, LA 70433, USA.
Lara Doyle-Meyers, Division of Microbiology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University, Covington, LA 70433, USA.
Jayme Looper, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
Andrew N. Bubak, Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Christy S. Niemeyer, Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Brent Palmer, Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Maria A. Nagel, Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Vicki Traina-Dorge, Division of Microbiology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University, Covington, LA 70433, USA.
Publication Date
5-27-2022
Abstract
Primary simian varicella virus (SVV) infection and reactivation in nonhuman primates is a valuable animal model in the study of varicella zoster virus disease [varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles)]. To understand SVV pathogenesis in skin, we inoculated 10 rhesus macaques with SVV, resulting in varicella rash. After the establishment of latency, eight of the monkeys were immunosuppressed using tacrolimus with or without irradiation and prednisone and two monkeys were not immunosuppressed. Zoster rash developed in all immunosuppressed monkeys and in one non-immunosuppressed monkey. Five monkeys had recurrent zoster. During varicella and zoster, SVV DNA in skin scrapings ranged from 50 to 10 copies/100 ng of total DNA and 2-127 copies/100 ng of total DNA, respectively. Detection of SVV DNA in blood during varicella was more frequent and abundant compared to that of zoster. During varicella and zoster, SVV antigens colocalized with neurons expressing β-III tubulin in epidermis, hair follicles, and sweat glands, suggesting axonal transport of the virus. Together, we have demonstrated that both SVV DNA and antigens can be detected in skin lesions during varicella and zoster, providing the basis for further studies on SVV skin pathogenesis, including immune responses and mechanisms of peripheral spread.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Viruses
Recommended Citation
Mahalingam, R., Feia, B., Coleman, C., Anupindi, K., Saravanan, P., Luthens, A., Bustillos, A., Das, A., de Haro, E., Doyle-Meyers, L., Looper, J., Bubak, A. N., Niemeyer, C. S., Palmer, B., Nagel, M. A., & Traina-Dorge, V.
(2022). Simian Varicella Virus Pathogenesis in Skin during Varicella and Zoster. Viruses, 14 (6)
https://doi.org/10.3390/v14061167
