Susceptibility of some rodent species to monkeypox virus, and course of the infection.

The authors studied the susceptibility of five species of rodent to monkeypox virus inoculated by various routes and the course of the infection. Reactions varied from complete resistance to lethal generalized infection with rash. Rabbits and white mice appeared to be the most susceptible species and young animals were more susceptible than adults. Monkeypox virus was found to infect young animals by natural routes, i.e., per os and intranasally. Transmission by contact occurred among 10-day-old rabbits. Since antibodies to monkeypox virus may persist for over a year in the sera of convalescent animals, serological examination of animals is recommended for studying the ecology of this virus.