Progression of Nipah virus infection in the African green monkey: Role of macrophages and dendritic cells in early virus spread

While end-stage disease in primates has been well studied, particularly in African green monkeys (AGM), little is known about the development of NiV disease. Here, 12 AGM were infected with NiV and examined sequentially over 5 days to investigate the pathological and immunological events of NiV infection leading to death.

DC-SIGN-positive immature dendritic cells in tonsil and alveolar macrophages were identified at 3 days postinfection (DPI) as early targets of NiV, implicating their important role in the spread of NiV to other tissues. By 5 DPI, NiV spread to other tissues and cell types, including endothelium of medium caliber vessels and respiratory epithelium. Multifocal regions of fibrin deposition in small and medium caliber vessels and into alveolar spaces were also noted at 5 DPI.