West Nile and St. Louis Encephalitis Virus Antibody Seroconversion, Prevalence, and Persistence in Naturally Infected Pig-Tailed Macaques ( Macaca nemestrina )

Abstract
Pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) naturally infected with West Nile virus were monitored from 1999 to 2005 to determine virus-specific antibody seroconversion, prevalence, and persistence. Antibodies persisted for up to 36 months, as detected by epitope-blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent and hemagglutination inhibition assays. Exposure to cocirculating St. Louis encephalitis virus was evaluated by Western blotting and immunofluorescence assays.