Reactions of Monkeys to Experimental Respiratory Infections. IV. Response to Re-inoculation with Streptococcus hemolyticus. ∗

Abstract

The various reactions of Macaca mulatta to primary intranasal inoculation with Streptococcus hemolyticus, Group C, alone or in conjunction with the virus of influenza A, have been described in preceding communications. 1 , 2 , 3 A study of the same phenomena on reinfection with the same strain of hemolytic streptococci is the basis of this report.

Methods. Eight monkeys were inoculated intranasally with streptococci 2 to 3 months previously. Six had survived also exposure to influenza A virus incurred either shortly preceding or just following the streptococcal episode. Before reinoculation, the recovered monkeys were observed and studied intensively over a control period of at least 1 to 2 weeks. Streptococcus hemolyticus, Group C, was then administered intranasally under ether-anesthesia in the same dosage (750,000,000 organisms in 3 cc saline) as was used for the primary inoculations.

Three monkeys, not included in the above group but having apparently recovered from a primary inoculation with hemolytic streptococci, redeveloped positive throat cultures for Lancefield Group C streptococci some 46 to 56 days after inoculation. Coincident with the spontaneous exacerbation of a latent autogenous focus or due to reinfection from others in our monkey colony, certain symptoms and signs appeared.

Results. Only 2 of the 8 reinoculated animals in the first group presented recognizable clinical evidences of disease. Symptoms and signs suggestive of renal damage appeared 2 weeks after reinoculation (95 days after primary inoculation) in one animal, and 4 days after reinoculation (108 days after primary inoculation) in another.

General malaise, anorexia, hypertension, edema of the face, legs, and perineal region, and albuminuria, with pus cells, red cells and casts in the urinary sediment were found. Identical phenomena were noted in all 3 of the monkeys showing the spontaneous re-appearance of Group C streptococci in their respective throat cultures.