Varicella-like herpesvirus infections of nonhuman primates
Padovan, D.; Cantrell, C.A.
Laboratory Animal Science 36(1): 7-13
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0023-6764 PMID: 3007865 Document Number: 273850
At least three distinct herpesviruses cause varicella like exanthematous diseases among nonhuman primates. Spontaneous epizootics have resulted in high morbidity and mortality rates among Cercopithecus aethiops, Erythrocebus patas and Macaca species in research colonies. Mild infections have been observed in infant chimpanzees and a gorilla. This group of diseases is of interest not only because they are a threat to primate colonies, but also because their pathologic similarity to progressive human varicella makes them a potentially valuable animal model of this disease. The nonhuman primate varicella-like exanthematous diseases are reviewed and compared to varicella in man.