Macacine alphaherpesvirus 1

Background

• Also known as macacine herpesvirus 1, macacine alphaherpesvirus 1, cercopithecine herpesvirus 1, CHV-1), herpes B virus, monkey B virus, herpesvirus simiae and herpesvirus B

History

• First diagnosed in a researcher in 1933

Microbiology

• Double-stranded DNA virus
• Alphaherpesvirus, in the same family as HSV

Clinical Presentation

• Typically via bite or scratch of macaque monkey
  • Asymptomatic or similar presentation to HSV in the monkey
  • Seroprevalence reaches 100% in some populations of macaques
• Three clinical forms:
  • Flu-like illness followed by CNS symptoms
  • Local symptoms (itching, tingling, numbness, or pain) at the inoculation site, with or without vesicular rash and regional lymphadenopathy
  • Peripheral or central nervous system symptoms, with meningismus, vomiting, confusion, cranial nerve palsies