Herpes B virus

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Herpes simian B Virus
Virus classification
Group: Group I (dsDNA)
Family: Herpesviridae
Subfamily: Alphaherpesvirinae
Genus: Simplexvirus

Herpes simian B virus (Macacine herpesvirus 1 (formerly Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1, CHV-1 [1]), Herpesvirus simiae, B virus) is the endemic simplexvirus of macaque monkeys. B virus is an alphaherpesvirus, which consists of a subset of herpes viruses that travel within hosts using the peripheral nerves. As such, this neurotropic virus is not found in the blood.

In the natural host, the virus exhibits pathogenesis similar to that of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in humans. Conversely, when humans are zoonotically infected with B virus, patients can present with severe central nervous system disease, resulting in permanent neurological dysfunction or death. Severity of the disease increases for untreated patients, with a case fatality rate of approximately 90%. Early diagnosis and subsequent treatment are the linchpins of surviving the infection.

Linked with more than two dozen deaths since its discovery, B virus is the only identified nonhuman primate herpesvirus that displays severe pathogenicity in humans. The last identified case of human B virus infection occurred in 2008, with the last known fatality occurring in 1997 when researcher Elizabeth Griffin was splashed in the eye at Yerkes National Primate Research Center.[2][3] Proper personal protective equipment is essential when working with macaques, especially those who have tested positive for the virus. Bites, scratches and exposures to mucous membranes, including the eye, must be cleaned immediately. Samples from both the macaque and human should be sent for B virus diagnostic testing as recommended by the B Virus Working Group here: BVIRUS.pdf

As of 2002, there were 26 documented cases of human B virus infection, 16 of which led to death. At least 20 of the patients developed some degree of encephalitis.[4][5]


Herpes B virus was first identified in 1932 following the death of Dr. William Brebner, a young physician who was bitten by a monkey while researching the virus that causes poliomyelitis. Soon after, Brebner developed localized erythema, followed by lymphangitis, lymphadenitis and, ultimately, transverse myelitis. Neurologic tissues obtained during Dr. Brebner’s autopsy revealed the presence of an ultrafilterable agent that appeared similar to HSV.[6] This isolate was originally termed “W virus.”

Within a year of Brebner’s death, Dr. Albert Sabin identified an unfilterable agent from the same tissue,[7] which he later named B virus. Sabin further described the lethality of B virus by showing that infectivity was independent of the route of inoculation.[7] Additionally, it was observed that B virus induced immunologic responses similar to HSV-1,[8] as well as shared similarities to HVP-2 and Langur herpesvirus, two other nonhuman primate alphaherpesviruses.[8][9][10][11][12][13]

By 1959, B virus was identified as the causative agent in 17 human cases, 12 of which resulted in death.[14][15][16] Approximately 50 cases had been identified by 2002, although only 26 were well documented. The latest identified case of B virus occurred in 2008, per the National B Virus Resource Center in Atlanta, GA.

Improvements in handling human cases have been made in the past several decades. Between 1987 to 2004 the rate of mortality has decreased, largely due to the addition of new forms of treatment and improved diagnosis. There have been a total of 5 fatalities related to Herpes B virus in this timeframe.[17]

Traveling to an area where macaques are known carriers of the virus and interacting in close contact in areas such as temples poses a risk of exposure. However, even in endemic areas, human cases are rare. There have been no known cases of Herpes B virus in travelers.[17]


Viral Genome[edit]

The B virus genome was fully sequenced in 2003 from an isolate found in a rhesus macaque.[18] Like all herpes viruses, the B virus genome contains double-stranded DNA and is approximately 157 kbp in length. Two unique regions (UL and US) are flanked by a pair of inverted repeats, two of which are found at the termini, with the other two internally located. This arrangement, which is identical in nature to HSV, results in four sequence-oriented isomers. Cytosine and guanine nucleotides represent 75% of the sequence.

Sequence analyses suggest that B virus and HSV types 1 and 2 most likely diverged from a common ancestor during the evolution of these pathogens. Each gene-encoded glycoprotein, including gB, gC, gD, gE and gG, has approximately 50% homology with HSV, with a slightly higher predilection towards HSV-2 over HSV-1.[18] Additionally, glycoprotein sequences have demonstrated that all cysteine residues are conserved, as are most glycosylation sites.


Acyclovir has prevented progression of the disease in some patients and may be life saving. Prompt treatment is essential to prevent permanent neurological impairment.[19]


  1. ^ B Virus at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  2. ^ http://www.ergriffinresearch.org/about-elizabeth/
  3. ^ Bragg, Rick (December 14, 1997). "A Drop of Virus From a Monkey Kills a Researcher in 6 Weeks". The New York Times. 
  4. ^ Herpes-B Fact Sheet
  5. ^ Weigler BJ (1992). "Biology of B virus in macaque and human hosts: a review". Clinical infectious diseases: an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America 14 (2): 555–67. doi:10.1093/clinids/14.2.555. PMID 1313312. 
  6. ^ Gay PP, Holden M (1933). "Isolation of herpesvirus from several cases of epidemic encephalitis". Proc Soc Exp Biol Med (30): 1051–53. 
  7. ^ a b Sabin AB, Wright WM (1934). "Acute ascending myelitis following a monkey bite, with the isolation of a virus capable of reproducing the disease". J Exp Med 59 (2): 115–36. doi:10.1084/jem.59.2.115. PMC 2132353. PMID 19870235. 
  8. ^ a b Sabin AB (1934). "Studies on the B virus I: The immunological identity of a virus isolated from a human case of ascending myelitis associated with visceral necrosis". Br J Exp Pathol (15): 248–68. 
  9. ^ Eberle R, Hilliard J (1995). "The simian herpesviruses". Infectious Agents and Disease 4 (2): 55–70. PMID 7613729. 
  10. ^ Sabin AB (1934). "Studies on the B virus II: Properties of the virus and pathogenesis of the experimental disease in rabbits". Br J Exp Pathol (15): 269–79. 
  11. ^ Sabin AB (1934). "Studies on the B virus III: The experimental disease in macacus rhesus monkeys". Br J Exp Pathol (15): 321–34. 
  12. ^ Burnet FM, Lush D, Jackson AV (1939). "The properties of herps B and pseudorabies viruses on the choriollantois". Aust J Exp Biol Med Sci (17): 35–52. 
  13. ^ Burnet FM, Lush D, Jackson AV (1939). "The relationship of herpse and B viruses: immunological and epidemiological considerations". Aust J Exp Biol Med Sci (17): 41–51. 
  14. ^ Breen GE, Lamb SG, Otaki AT (1958). "Monkey bite encephalomyelitis: report of a case with recovery". Br Med J 2 (5087): 22–3. doi:10.1136/bmj.2.5087.22. PMC 2025841. PMID 13546633. 
  15. ^ Hummeler K, Davidson WL, Henle W, et al. (1959). "Encephalomyelitis due to infection with herpesvirus simiae (herpes B virus): a report of two fatal, laboratory acquired cases". New England Journal of Medicine 261 (261): 64–8. doi:10.1056/NEJM195907092610203. 
  16. ^ Pierce EC, Pierce JD, Hull RN (1958). "B virus: its current significance, description and diagnosis of a fatal human infection". Am J Hyg (68): 242–50. 
  17. ^ a b http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/yellowbook-2012-home.htm Accessed 2/2/2013
  18. ^ a b Perelygina L, Zhu L, Zurkuhlen H, et al. (2003). "Complete sequence and comparative analysis of the genome of herpes b virus (Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1) from a rhesus monkey". Journal of Virology 77 (11): 6167–77. doi:10.1128/JVI.77.11.6167-6177.2003. PMC 155011. PMID 12743273. 
  19. ^ Ostrowski Stephanie R., et al. (January–March 1998). "B-virus from Pet Macaque Monkeys: An Emerging Threat in the United States?". Emerging Infectious Diseases 4 (1). 

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