Fatal Herpes simplex Infection in a Group of Common Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

Abstract

Abstract. An outbreak of classical herpetic infection causing vesicoulcerative stomatitis in a family group (eight animals) of Callithrix jacchus is described. In all eight infected animals, human herpesvirus 1 (HHV-1) was identified as the causative agent. This was confirmed by histologic, immunohistologic, and molecular biologic investigations, as well as by virus isolation. The clinical picture, the macroscopic appearance, and the histologic results indicated a herpes infection as the cause of mortality. Alterations of the oral mucous membranes were erosive to ulcerative with typical intranuclear inclusions. Immunohistologic and molecular biologic techniques clearly identified the HHV-1 virus and excluded other possible primate herpesviruses such as Bvirus, SA8, HVP-2, and Herpes tamarinus. The significance of this herpesvirus infection for colony management is discussed.

Fatal Human herpesvirus 1 (HHV-1) infection in captive marmosets (Callithrix jacchus and Callithrix penicillata) in Brazil: clinical and pathological characterization

“…Based on the epidemiology of the cases in this study, it was verified that Neotropical primates are highly susceptible to HHV-1 (Melendez et al 1969, Murphy et al 1972, Bruno et al 1997, Juan-Sallés et al 1997, Huemer et al 2002, Matz--Rensing et al 2003, Schrenzel et al 2003, Hatt et al 2004, Lefaux et al 2004, Gozalo et al 2008, Longa et al 2011. This virus causes an acute and fatal disease in marmosets, characterized by multiple skin vesicles and ulcers as well as severe necrotizing meningoencephalitis (Juan-Sallés et al 1997, Hatt et al 2004, Lefaux et al 2004, Longa et al 2011.…”

“…Although many cases of HHV-1 in marmosets demonstrate little systemic involvement, (Juan-Sallés et al 1997, Matz-Rensing et al 2003, Hatt et al 2004, Lefaux et al 2004, this study verified widespread viral antigen throughout many organs using immunohistochemistry. In this study was observed that anti-HHV-1 immunostaining was more frequent in the brain (12/12) and mucosa of oral cavity and tongue (5/12).…”

“…In the present study, some owners had labial herpetic infection while others did not. Having marmosets as pet animals or feeding these animals in zoos through close contact is a very common practice and usually the most common source of infection (Juan-Sallés et al 1997, Matz-Rensing et al 2003, Lefaux et al 2004. Although not recorded in this study, close interaction between humans and marmosets can represent a threat for humans, since marmosets can be a source infections such as rabies (Favoretto et al 2001).…”

“…The clinical course of the disease varies from sudden death (Matz-Rensing et al 2003, Hatt et al 2004) to acute death, with an average evolution of 3 days (1-4 days) (Juan-Sallés et al 1997, Matz-Rensing et al 2003, Hatt et al 2004, Lefaux et al 2004; however, when the animals received treatment with Aciclovir, an antiviral drug, some animals survived for up to 2-3 weeks (Hatt et al 2004, Lefaux et al 2004). …”

“…Infection has been described in owl monkeys (Aotus trivirgatus and A. nancymae) (Melendez et al 1969, Gozalo et al 2008, white-faced Saki (Pithecia pithecia) (Schrenzel et al 2003) and marmosets (Callithrix sp.) (Murphy et al 1972, Juan-Sallés et al 1997, Huemer et al 2002, Matz--Rensing et al 2003, Hatt et al 2004, Lefaux et al 2004, resulting in lethal infection.…”