Abstract
Summary
An uninoculated batch of owl monkey kidney cell cultures yielded a viral agent 23 days after the cell culture was initiated. This agent possessed the physical, chemical, cytopathic, histological, and ultrastructural properties of a herpesvirus. Random testing of owl monkey sera showed the presence of high titered neutralizing antibodies against this new agent. Herpesvirus simplex, Herpesvirus T., Herpesvirus B, Herpesvirus suis, Herpesvirus saimiri, infectious bovine rhinotraecheitis, and Herpesvirus saguinus, OMKI 372, and OMKI 68-69 antisera failed to neutralize the infectivity of this new agent. In cell cultures the virus grew best in cells of owl monkey origin. It also grew (poorly) in cebus monkey kidney cell cultures, some batches of squirrel monkey kidney cells, in Vero, BSC-1, human embryonic lung, whole human embryo and human embryo skin and muscle cells. It failed to form plaques under an agar overlay and does not form pocks on chorioallantoic membranes of embryonated eggs. Based on these findings, the name Herpesvirus aotus has been suggested.
Owl monkey kidney cell cultures and owl monkey sera, when used for any work with other members of the herpesvirus group, ought to be employed with caution. The case reported here represents the first herpesvirus isolated from an owl monkey. Even though the pathogenic spectrum of this virus has not been established, being a herpesvirus, it should be regarded as potentially dangerous. Investigators who use owl monkeys should be aware of this new herpesvirus.
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