Experimental hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in Callithrix jacchus:: Early detection of HAV antigen and viral fate

Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) were orally inoculated with a Brazilian strain (HAF-203) of hepatitis A virus (HAV). Three monkeys were euthanized at postinoculation hours 6, 12 and 24 to investigate the early events of HAV infection. Following others three inoculated and one control marmosets remained throughout the 46 day to evaluation of viral excretion. Different samples were collected to detect sequential presence of HAV RNA by nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in liver, saliva, bile and stools at 6 hours to 46111 days postinoculation. Liver tissues were examined by immunofluorescence assay in a confocal laser-scanning microscope for the presence of HAV antigen. HAV RNA was detected in saliva during the course of the study, in bile from 24 hours to 46 days, in stools from 7 to 46 days and liver at 12 hours postinfection. In immunofluorescence of liver stained preparations, viral antigen was present at six hours after inoculation throughout the remainder of the 46-day study. The animals developed histological and biochemical acute hepatitis after second week postinoculation. Spleen, duodenum, and mesenteric lymph nodes specimens were negative for HAV antigens. This study supports the possibility that in Callithrix jacchus orally inoculated with hepatitis A virus the saliva route may be additional way of viral elimination. The viral replication in the liver was responsible for biliary HAV presence and latter HAV detection in fecal samples.