Fatal Herpes simplex infection in a group of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

An outbreak of classical herpetic infection causing vesicoulcerative stomatitis in a family group (eight animals) of Callithrix jacchus is described. In all eight infected animals, human herpesvirus 1 (HHV-1) was identified as the causative agent. This was confirmed by histologic, immunohistologic, and molecular biologic investigations, as well as by virus isolation. The clinical picture, the macroscopic appearance, and the histologic results indicated a herpes infection as the cause of mortality. Alterations of the oral mucous membranes were erosive to ulcerative with typical intranuclear inclusions. Immunohistologic and molecular biologic techniques clearly identified the HHV-1 virus and excluded other possible primate herpesviruses such as B-virus, SA8, HVP-2, and Herpes tamarinus. The significance of this herpesvirus infection for colony management is discussed.