Naturally transmitted herpesvirus papio-2 infection in a black and white colobus monkey.
METHODS
A 6.5-year-old female eastern black and white colobus monkey (Colobus guereza) was evaluated after acute onset of ataxia and inappetence.


RESULTS
The monkey was ataxic and lethargic, but no other abnormalities were detected via physical examination, radiography, or clinicopathologic analyses. During the next 2 days, the monkey's clinical condition deteriorated, and its WBC count decreased dramatically. Cytologic examination of a CSF sample revealed marked lymphohistiocytic inflammation.


RESULTS
Despite supportive care, the monkey became apneic; after 20 hours of mechanical ventilation, fatal cardiac arrest occurred. At necropsy, numerous petechiae were detected within the white matter tracts of the brain; microscopic lesions of multifocal necrosis and hemorrhage with intranuclear inclusions identified in the brain and adrenal glands were consistent with an acute herpesvirus infection. A specific diagnosis of herpesvirus papio-2 (HVP-2) infection was made on the basis of results of serologic testing; PCR assay of tissue specimens; live virus isolation from the lungs; and immunohistochemical identification of the virus within brain, spinal cord, and adrenal gland lesions. Via phylogenetic tree analysis, the colobus HVP-2 isolate was grouped with neuroinvasive strains of the virus. The virus was most likely transmitted to the colobus monkey through toys shared with a nearby colony of baboons (the natural host of HVP-2).


CONCLUSIONS
To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of natural transmission of HVP-2 to a nonhost species. Infection with HVP-2 should be a differential diagnosis for acute encephalopathy in primate monkeys and humans, particularly following exposure to baboons.
Troan
Brigid V
BV
Hanes Veterinary Medical Center, North Carolina Zoological Park, 4401 Zoo Parkway, Asheboro, NC 27203, USA.
Perelygina
Ludmila
L
Patrusheva
Irina
I
Wettere
Arnaud J van
AJ
Hilliard
Julia K
JK
Loomis
Michael R
MR
Voe
Ryan S De
RS
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D003104:Colobus; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000662:veterinary / Q000821:virology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D008992:Monkey Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000635:transmission; D010215:Papio / Q000821:virology*