Fatal lymphoproliferative disease associated with a novel gammaherpesvirus in a captive population of common marmosets.
OBJECTIVE
Callitrichids (marmosets and tamarins) are extremely susceptible to experimental tumor induction by herpesviruses native to other primate species. A colony of common marmosets developed a syndrome of weight loss, inappetence, diarrhea, and in several animals, palpable abdominal masses.


METHODS
Marmosets in the colony were subjected to histologic examination and serologic testing for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The DNA from tumors that developed in the marmosets was subjected to consensus primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis designed to amplify conserved regions of herpesvirus genomes.


RESULTS
The mesenteric lymph nodes and intestinal mucosa were consistently infiltrated by principally B lymphocytes, which often obliterated the normal architecture. Of 84 clinically normal marmosets, 52 were seropositive for EBV. The tumor DNA contained previously unreported herpesvirus sequences closely related to but distinct from those of EBV, Herpesvirus papio, and these lymphocryptovirus, a novel gammaherpesvirus. Results of PCR analysis of circulating lymphocytes from EBV-positive, clinically normal marmosets were negative for EBV antibodies and were positive for marmoset lymphocryptovirus; PCR analysis of circulating lymphocytes from EBV-negative marmosets yielded negative results for EBV and this novel marmoset lymphocryptovirus.


CONCLUSIONS
This novel gammaherpesvirus possibly associated with tumor development may have important management implications for captive callitrichids.
Ramer
J C
JC
The Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA.
Garber
R L
RL
Steele
K E
KE
Boyson
J F
JF
O'Rourke
C
C
Thomson
J A
JA
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001483:Base Sequence; D002144:Callithrix / Q000821:virology*; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / Q000662:veterinary; D018142:Gammaherpesvirinae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008992:Monkey Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral