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October 27, 1999 Dr Dan Danner, DVM Animal Medical and Surgical Hospital 7140 South 69th East Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74133
Dear Dan:

VIROLOGY BACTERIOLOGY MYCOBACTERIOLOGY MYCOLOGY PARASITOLOGY SEROLOGY IMMUNOLOGY MOLECULAR BIOLOGY ELECTRON MICROPSY FLOW CYTOMETRY CANCER MARKERS

As you know, our laboratory has many years of experience in testing monkeys and apes for evidence of virus infections. Most of our testing is done on primates used for experimental studies, but a substantial number of tests have been done on zoo and pet primates. There is always concern for the possibility that human contacts may acquire virus infections from these animals, but, for the most part, this fear has not been warranted in reference to primates kept as pets. The greatest fear has always been the potential for herpes B virus infections. Human infections with this virus are, of course, serious and have led to a number of deaths. This virus is found naturally in macaques and, therefore, this species should be monitored for evidence of B virus infection. Of the pet macaques that we have tested for this virus, only a few have shown evidence of a positive B virus serology. I think this may be attributed to the fact that most pet macaques are acquired as infants and it is known that B virus infections generally occur after the monkeys mature and become sexually active. In any event, it is wise to remove a pet macaque to a controlled environment if it shows evidence of B virus infection. When considering apes and New World monkeys, B virus is not considered to be a problem, as this virus is not found in these primate species. In general, the viral flora of New World monkeys does not appear to be a threat to humans. I know of no report that a virus from New World monkeys has infected a human. The only virus I am aware of that might infect humans is hepatitis A. This virus, or a related strain, has been isolated from owl monkeys, but there has never been an established human infection from this species. If this did occur, it is likely a human infected the monkey and, therefore, transmission from human to human is more likely. Further, unlike B virus, this virus does not persist in an infected animal once the clinical disease resolves. Although I do not support monkeys as pets, I realize that many people feel very strongly about their pet monkeys. With appropriate personal hygiene and testing for TB and B virus in order to determine the potential threat of these diseases, there should not be an infectious disease problem. I do not support the destruction of antibody positive animals. There are facilities that can handle these animals with proper care. Best wishes,

Richard L. Heberling, PhD

7540 Louis Pasteur San Antonio, Texas 78229 (210) 614-7350 FAX 614-7355 (800) 299-7350

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------THE SPECIALISTS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASE TESTING------