Herpes B virus replication and viral lesions in the liver of a cynomolgus macaque which died from severe disease with rapid onset

Abstract

Herpes B virus (BV, Macacine alphaherpesvirus 1) infects macaques asymptomatically, with rare exceptions, but can cause fatal encephalitis in humans. Here, we report disseminated BV infection in a cynomolgus macaque that had died within 12 hour after the onset of unspecific symptoms. Multifocal lesions surrounded by viral antigen were detected in liver while other organs remained inconspicuous, indicating that the liver is a major target. Moreover, high copy numbers of viral DNA were found in feces, underlining the excrements are a potential source of transmission.

Keywords: Herpes B virus; cynomolgus macaque; liver.