Isolation of Measles Test Monkeys

Introduction  The very susceptibility of the monkey to measles virus which makes it such a useful test animal poses special problems. Measles antibodies will develop quickly in large or small groups of monkeys insufficiently isolated from monkeys, man, and possibly other vectors of measles virus. Isolation must be maintained from the time of capture until the end of the laboratory tests.This report describes the adaptation and use of gnotobiotic equipment for isolation of cynomolgus monkeys from measles virus. Though this technique has only been used for a short time in the laboratory, it appears that continuous isolation of monkeys from measles and other viruses after capture is possible.The prerequisites of the design were simplicity and efficiency of daily operation and effective filtration of air-borne virus. The Lobund Institute was approached for help in designing acceptable equipment. After assembly of the unit in their laboratories, it was brought to