This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Gonder, J C Articles by Pedersen, C E Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Gonder, J C Articles by Pedersen, C E, Jr

Evaluation of a killed Rocky Mountain spotted fever vaccine in cynomolgus monkeys.

ABSTRACT

A nonhuman primate model of Rocky Mountain spotted fever infection was developed in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) infected by the subcutaneous route or by aerosol. Clinical responses, hematology and serum chemistry values, and pathological findings were similar to those found in humans ill with Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The clinical model was then used to test the efficacy of a killed Rocky Mountain spotted fever vaccine grown in chicken embryo cells. Monkeys were immunized with varying dilutions of the vaccine with a two-dose schedule and then challenged at 2 months with virulent Rickettsia rickettsii by the subcutaneous route or by aerosol. The undiluted vaccine totally protected monkeys against both challenges, even at extremely high doses.