Relationship between Herpesvirus ateles-associated nuclear antigen (HATNA) and the number of virus genome equivalents in HVA-carrying lymphoid lines

A DNA-binding antigen (HATNA) was demonstrated in 7 out of 14 cell lines carrying Herpesvirus ateles (HVA) by the acid-fixed nuclear-binding technique. The seven HATNA-positive lines had means of 95, 96, 103, 177, 240, 343 and 326 virus genome equivalents/cell. For the seven HATNA-negative lines, the figures were 4, 8, 10, 33, 39, 72 and 110. This indicates a relationship between the number of HVA genome equivalents/cell and the detectability of HATNA. This association was independent of the virus producer status of the lines.