THE RHESUS MONKEY

Abstract

Transbronchoscopic inoculation of five serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae was used to produce pneumonia in five rhesus monkeys. The development and resolution of the pneumonia were followed radiographically and clinically. The initial inoculation determined the lung lobes that would become involved. The acute state was accompanied by a febrile response, leukocytosis, and bacteremia. Resolution of the pneumonia occurred in six weeks. The radiographic features of spontaneous streptococcal pneumonia in rhesus monkeys were similar but not identical to those found in man. However, extension to other lobes, mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and extensive pleural effusion, as often noted in the human, were not identified. The rhesus monkey is thought to be a good animal model for the radiographic evaluation of streptococcal pneumonia.