| Abstract: | A continuous cell line has been established in culture from a pathological lymph node of an owl monkey with reticuloproliferative disease after inoculation with EB virus. The cells grow in suspension in clumps or as single individuals and show the characteristic features of lymphoblasts with some differentiation to reticulum cells; their karyotype is typical of one sub-species of owl monkey. A herpes virus has been found in the cells and has been identified as EB virus in two types of immunofluorescence test using two different specific antisera; this identification was confirmed by the ability of the virus to transform normal human cord-blood lymphocytes and make them grow as a continuous cell line. Infection by a carcinogenic simian virus, herpesvirus saimiri, has been excluded by tests for neutralizing antibodies and virus growth in susceptible cells. The continuous growth of the monkey cells, the presence in them of EB virus, and the possible relationship of the virus to the original reticuloproliferative disease of the inoculated monkey, are considered and discussed. |
