Natural history of Sudan ebolavirus infection in rhesus and cynomolgus macaques

In contrast to the Zaire ebolavirus, an animal model for Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV) infection had not been well-established, although both viruses are associated with the highest case fatality rates. This report shows that the infection of SUDV to rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys had resulted in almost 100% lethality (median time-to-death of 8.5 and 8.0 days, respectively), after intramuscularly injection of a 1000 plaque-forming unit dose.  The early phase symptoms were characterized by viremia, granulocytosis, lymphopenia, albuminemia and thrombocytopenia.  At the mid-to-late phases, animals developed fever and petechial rashes as well as expressions of pro-inflammatory mediators, pro-thrombotic factors and markers indicating liver and kidney injury. End-stage disease was characterized by shock and multi-organ failure.