Herpesvirus saimiri-induced malignant lymphoma in inbred strain III/J rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Four young strain III/J rabbits of both sexes were inoculated with a single dose of prototype partially purified Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) via IV and IM routes. All inoculated animals had enlarged lymph nodes, and significant levels of antibodies to HVS early, late, and membrane antigens were detectable during the infection. The animals died or were killed and HVS was isolated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the various lymph nodes but not from the kidney. Microscopic examination showed that these animals had poorly differentiated lymphomas. The response of mononuclear cells to PHA from peripheral blood of infected animals showed depressed cell mediated immune responses. Humoral and cellular immunity responses during tumorigenesis were comparable to those reported in nonhuman primates with HVS-induced tumors. Thus, the inbred strain III/J appears to be an inexpensive suitable model for studies of oncogenic herpesvirus-induced cancers.