Ebola virulence

[Bruce Phillips]

	As stated or suggested by others, it is a mistake to suggest that
Ebola virus is more virulent for primates than man (recalling that man is a
primate).  Clearly, Ebola reproduces in a host, possibly a monkey strain, in
which it may not cause any disease.  Simian B virus, deadly if contracted
by humans, is a persistent, possibly latent (?), infection in certain
monkeys.  I'm sure one could cite many other examples.  In fact, if memory
serves, SV-40 virus causes a noncytopathic persistent infection in rhesus
monkey cells in vitro (and probably in vivo as well) while being markedly
cytopathic for african green monkey cells.
	Any understanding of Ebola virus in its reservoir host must await
discovery of that host.