Herpes Simplex Infection in a Juvenile Orangutan (Pongo Pygmaeus Pygmaeus)

Abstract

A juvenile orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) died after 8 days of diarrhea and vomiting. Necropsy showed petechial hemorrhages in the skin, the myocardium, and the peritoneal membranes. The lungs were hyperemic and edematous, and the liver and spleen were enlarged. Histologic changes consisted of interstitial pneumonia, hepatitis, and splenic hyperplasia. Numerous eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies were visible in pulmonary epithelial cells, hepatocytes, and splenic endothelial cells. Electron microscopic examination revealed herpesvirus in hepatocyte nuclei. Polymerase chain reaction of liver tissue demonstrated the presence of a herpes simplex virus-1.

An Intrinsically Disordered Region of the DNA Repair Protein Nbs1 Is a Species-Specific Barrier to Herpes Simplex Virus 1 in Primates

“…The passage of HSV-1 from humans to captive nonhuman primates has been documented many times (Barnes et al, 2015; Gilardi et al, 2014; Heldstab et al, 1981; Kik et al, 2005; Landolfi et al, 2005; Matz-Rensing et al, 2003; Mootnick et al, 1998; Schrenzel et al, 2003). The macaque B virus and HSV-1 are similar in that they cause a neuro-virulent disease in unnatural hosts which is often fatal.…”

Outbreak of Human Herpesvirus Type 1 Infection in Nonhuman Primates (Callithrix penincillata)

“…The source of infection for the marmosets in our study is unknown; however, we assume that close contact between nonhuman primates and humans facilitates transmission and that infected animals can spread the infection to other nonhuman primates. One source of transmission may be food that is contaminated with saliva from infected humans (Kik et al, 2005). The infected marmosets in this study belonged to a group that had frequent contact with humans.…”

“…Human herpesvirus 1 (HHV-1) and human herpesvirus 2 (HHV-2) can infect nonhuman primates and cause a severe, often fatal illness (Schrenzel et al, 2003). Fatal infections with HHV-1 have been reported for several species of nonhuman primates, including the white-faced saki (Pithecia pithecia pithecia; Schmutzhard et al, 2004), the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus; Huemer et al, 2002), the white-handed gibbon (Hylobates lar; Landolfi et al, 2005), and the orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus; Kik et al 2005). New World primates are highly susceptible to fatal infections, whereas Old World primates appear to be more resistant (Mãtz-Rensing et al, 2003).…”

“…To prevent interspecies transmission, humans with active lesions should not feed animals and offering partly eaten food to nonhuman primates should be discouraged in general. Technicians who work directly with nonhuman primates should be professionals who are provided with appropriate clothing and trained in proper handling and hygiene practices (Kik et al, 2005).…”

Herpes simplex-like infection in a bottlenose dolphin stranded in the Canary Islands

“…Most of the reports about HSV in species other than humans are restricted to non-human primates such as chimpanzees (McClure et al 1980), gorillas (Heldstab et al 1981, common marmosets (Mätz-Rensing et al 2003), saki monkeys (Schrenzel et al 2003), gibbons (Landolfi et al 2005) and orangutans (Kik et al 2005). Only a few descriptions of HSV infections in nonprimate hosts are available; they describe infections in a chinchilla (Wohlsein et al 2002), a rabbit (Grest et al 2002) and an African pygmy hedgehog (Allison et al 2002).…”