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Ex Vivo Infection of Murine Epidermis with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1
Published on: August 24, 2015
Herpesviruses--a zoonotic threat?
B Karsten Tischer1, Nikolaus Osterrieder
1Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Philippstrasse 13, 10115 Berlin, Germany. k.tischer@fu-berlin.de
Veterinary Microbiology
|July 21, 2009
Summary
Zoonotic herpesviruses, like Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1 from macaques, can transmit between species. Porcine gammaherpesviruses also pose a zoonotic threat, especially in xenotransplantation.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Zoonosis Research
- Comparative Medicine
Background:
- Herpesviruses exhibit high host specificity due to long co-evolution.
- Cross-species transmission (zoonosis) is rare but significant.
- Examples include macaque-to-human and human-to-primate herpesvirus transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review herpesviruses capable of crossing species barriers.
- To highlight zoonotic threats posed by specific herpesviruses.
- To assess risks associated with xenotransplantation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of herpesvirus cross-species transmission.
- Analysis of documented zoonotic herpesvirus cases.
- Identification of herpesviruses with suspected zoonotic potential.
Main Results:
- Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1 (from macaques) is a significant zoonotic agent.
- Human herpesvirus 1 can cause severe disease in primates.
- Other herpesviruses with limited or suspected zoonotic ability include SHV-2, PHV-2, EHV-1, EBV, MDV, and PRV.
- Porcine gammaherpesviruses are identified as a zoonotic threat in xenotransplantation.
Conclusions:
- Herpesvirus zoonosis is a critical concern, particularly with increasing human-animal interaction.
- Understanding these cross-species transmissions is vital for public health and safety.
- Porcine herpesviruses warrant careful consideration in xenotransplantation protocols to mitigate zoonotic risks.
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