B Virus (Cercopithecine Herpesvirus 1) Infections in Monkeys and Man

B virus can be grouped together with the human herpes simplex viruses (HSV) and the bovine herpes virus 2 (BHV-2) to the genus Simplexvirus, subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, family Herpesviridae. B virus is indigenous to rhesus monkeys (Macaca species) and most likely represents the simian counterpart of HSV. Virus can be recovered from herpetic lesions and at the beginning of the infection from oral and genital swabs. Latently infected animals have virus in the ganglia subserving the genital tract and the oral cavity. B virus is hazardous to man for its ability to cause a fatal encephalomyelitis. HSV immunity may be cross-protective.