An attempt to eradicate Herpesvirus simiae from a rhesus monkey breeding colony.
In the fall of 1987 an attempt to establish a Herpesvirus simiae (B-virus)-negative rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) breeding colony was initiated at the Armstrong Laboratory. A serologic testing program was used to identify all monkeys into groups that were either positive or negative to B-virus based on serologic tests. Segregation of the groups allowed the creation of breeding harems that were exclusively seropositive or -negative to B-virus. Animals that were serologically positive were kept in breeding to maintain infant production levels not unlike those previous to segregation. Decreasing numbers of animals converted to a positive status during the first three serum tests for B-virus in the program. During 1990, an increase in the number of monkeys converting to positive status and the discovery of an indeterminate status demonstrated that latency of B-virus in the rhesus may have the potential to defeat an eradication attempt not conscientiously pursued.
Sauber
J J
JJ
Veterinary Sciences Division, Armstrong Laboratory, Brooks Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX 78235-5000.
Fanton
J W
JW
Harvey
R C
RC
Golden
J G
JG
D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000662:veterinary; D001947:Breeding; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D006568:Herpesvirus 1, Cercopithecine; D008253:Macaca mulatta / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008992:Monkey Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*