Susceptibility of the Langur Monkey (Semnopithecus entellus) to Experimental Plague: Pathology and Immunity

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Abstract
The greater susceptibility of langurs to plague than of rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys has been noted by investigators since the late 19th century. Semnopithecus entellus from India were inoculated subcutaneously with the virulent Pasteurella pestis strain 195/P in dosages varying from 102 to 125,000 organisms and immunity of recovered animals tested by subsequent inoculation into the tracheal tube. Serologic tests to detect presence of antibodies followed. Onset of the disease in langurs was indicated by rise of body temperature to 40 C or more. Pathological findings, both gross and microscopic, confirmed even greater susceptibility of this species than previously reported to subcutaneous plaque infection as compared to susceptibility of rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys. Although individual response varied, studies showed that relatively small doses of 100 to 1000 P. pestis may cause death or disease and survival with or without immunity. Autopsy findings in infected langurs resembled those of human plague. In the limited number of langurs available for these studies, immunity of those recovered from infection was significant.

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