Herpes virus and pox virus infections

HERPES VIRUS AND POX VIRUS INFECTIONS

  • Herpes virus infections are documented in non-human primates, elephant calves etc. In man, herpes B virus can be fatal, causing an acute ascending myelitis.
  • Rhesus macaques and cyanomolgus are considered as the primary natural hosts.
  • Lesions in non-human primates are mostly confined to the mucosa of buccal cavity.
  • Ulcers or vesicles do occur around the lips and external nares and the most common site is the tongue. Monkey bites and laboratory accidents lead to the most human infections.
  • Pox virus infections often are classified into four types in non-human primates, elephants etc. All these four diseases are infectious to man but it is to be remembered that the monkey pox is the most frequent one.
  • Pox virus was documented in chimpanzee under captive condition reared at zoological garden.
Last modified: Monday, 27 September 2010, 7:13 AM