A Nonhuman Primate Model for the Study of the Cervical Oncogenic Potential of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2

A primary genital infection with herpes simplex virus type 2 can be established in Cebus monkeys with the development of genital lesions in approximately one-half of the infected animals. The lesions occur on the vulva and on the cervix and occasionally are observed at other sites. As in humans, spontaneous genital recurrences can occur in infected monkeys. Veneral transmission from genitally infected female monkeys to males have occurred. The presence of herpes simplex virus antibodies prior to herpes simplex virus type 2 genital inoculation does not appear to influence the rate of genital infection as compared to animals with undetectable antibodies in their acute serum.