Herpesvirus simplex Infection

Abstract

The most characteristic gross findings in natural and experimental Herpesvirus simplex infection of owl monkeys (Aotus trivirgatus) are discrete vesicles, necrotic plaques, and erosions or ulcers on the oral mucous membranes and at the mucocutaneous junction (Fig. 79) of the lips (Mélendez et al. 1969). These are usually gray to red and 1–10 mm in irregular diameter but may affect the entire oral cavity, extending into the pharynx, esophagus, and trachea. The lesions may extend to the adjacent skin and may also appear on the external genitalia. Conjunctivitis is also frequently present (Fig. 80). Internally, gray to red (depending on the amount of blood present in the lesions) foci are present on the capsular and cut surfaces of most organs (i.e., liver, adrenals, spleen, lung, lymph nodes, and occasionally the kidneys) (Fig. 81) (Mélendez et al. 1969; Katzin et al. 1967). Similar gross lesions are seen in naturally infected tree shrews (Tupaia glis) (McClure et al. 1972), lemurs (Kemp et al. 1972), and most experimentally infected marmoset and tamarin species (Callithrix sp., Saguinus sp.) (Hunt and Mélendez 1969; Hunt et al. 1978).