Isolation of simian virus 40 from rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) with spontaneous progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

Isolates of virus from the brain tissue of two naturally occurring cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) have been characterized. Both isolates were demonstrated to be simian virus 40 (SV40) by serological tests and analysis of cleavage fragments of viral deoxyribonucleic acid produced by restriction endonuclease from Haemophilus influenzae. SV40 virions and the nonvirion T antigen were demonstrated in the brain lesions of one monkey by the fluorescent antibody staining technique. SV40 was not demonstrated in the brain of normal rhesus monkeys from the same colony with use of the same methods of viral isolation or demonstration of antigen.