Recommendations for prevention of and therapy for exposure to B virus (cercopithecine herpesvirus 1).
B virus (Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1) is a zoonotic agent that can cause fatal encephalomyelitis in humans. The virus naturally infects macaque monkeys, resulting in disease that is similar to herpes simplex virus infection in humans. Although B virus infection generally is asymptomatic or mild in macaques, it can be fatal in humans. Previously reported cases of B virus disease in humans usually have been attributed to animal bites, scratches, or percutaneous inoculation with infected materials; however, the first fatal case of B virus infection due to mucosal splash exposure was reported in 1998. This case prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta, Georgia) to convene a working group in 1999 to reconsider the prior recommendations for prevention and treatment of B virus exposure. The present report updates previous recommendations for the prevention, evaluation, and treatment of B virus infection in humans and considers the role of newer antiviral agents in postexposure prophylaxis.
Cohen
Jeffrey I
JI
Medical Virology Section, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. jcohen@niaid.nih.gov
Davenport
David S
DS
Stewart
John A
JA
Deitchman
Scott
S
Hilliard
Julia K
JK
Chapman
Louisa E
LE
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018890:Chemoprevention / Q000592:standards; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000592:standards; D004679:Encephalomyelitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006568:Herpesvirus 1, Cercopithecine / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D011323:Primates / Q000821:virology; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D014633:Valine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D014633:Valine; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D000212:Acyclovir