Epstein-Barr virus. Heterophile responses in squirrel monkeys inoculated with virus-transformed autologous leukocytes.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed autologous lymphoblasts were repeatedly inoculated into three squirrel monkeys. Each animal developed the heterophile antibodies of infectious mononucleosis and EBV-specific antibodies. After serologic responses had disappeared or markedly declined, the animals were challenged with either whole cells, cell filtrate, or cell ghosts. Animals challenged with living cells and cell ghosts developed agglutinin responses; the recipient of filtrate did not. The results suggest that EBV induces the appearance of the infectious mononucleosis heterophile antigen on the transformed cell membrane.