Ann. Méd. Vét., 2002, 146 (1), pp 1 - 8 B virus, an underevaluated zoonotic alphaherpesvirus.MEURENS F., GALLEGO P., BOURGOT I., THIRY E.Abstract :
B-virus or Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1 (CeHV-1) is a zoonotic alphaherpesvirus enzootic in Asian monkeys of the genus Macaca that is genetically and antigenically closely related to the human herpesvirus 1 and the human herpesvirus 2. CeHV-1 infection is highly prevalent (80 % to 100 %) in adult macaques and may lead to fulminant encephalomyelitis with severe aftereffects or even causing death in humans. Since its discovery in 1933, it has been positively linked with two dozen human deaths. B-virus disease in humans usually resulted from breach of primary skin or mucosal defenses and subsequent contamination of the site with virus. Timely antiviral intervention is a good mean of reducing CeHV-1 associated morbidity and preventing a fatal outcome. Get the PDF Contact person : etienne.thiry@ulg.ac.be |