SIMIAN PARVOVIRUS

Parvovirus B19 is currently the only member of the Erythrovirus genus. Recently a second parvovirus, simian parvovirus, was identified in cy nomolgus monkeys which also appeared to be highly tropic for erythroid progenitor cells. This review describes the identification of this ne w arrival parvovirus and summarizes current knowledge of its clinical, molecular and epidemiological features. The virus has many biological similarities to the parvovirus B19 and close homology to the B19 geno me at the molecular level, both of which justify the inclusion of this novel virus as a new member of the Erythrovirus genus.