A SUBCLINICAL OUTBREAK OF HUMAN RHINOVIRUS 31 INFECTION IN CHIMPANZEES

Dick, Elliot C (U. Wisconsin, Madison) and Claire R. Dick. A subclinical outbreak of human rhinovirus 31 infection in chimpanzees. Amer. J. Epid., 1968. 88: 267-272.-Until recently only man had been successfully infected with the human rhinoviruses. The author previously reported an experimental infection of chimpanzees with members of this virus group. In the present report a natural infection of chimpanzees with a human rhinovirus is described. The virus, WiCh 38, Which is closely related to human rhinovirus type 31, was isolated from the throats of 3 chimpanzees. Antibody to the virus was found initially or developed over one month in 6 other chimpanzees in close proximity. Experimental infection of chimpanzees with tissue culture-grown WiCh 38 was also successful, although, like the natural infection, it was asymptomatic. © 1968, by The Johns Hopkins University.