Simian homologues of human herpesvirus 8

gamma -Herpesviruses can be found in most primates including Old World and New World monkeys. The gamma -herpesvirinae are grouped into two classes: l ymphocryptoviruses (gamma (1)) and rhadinoviruses (gamma (2)) Thc lymphocry ptoviruses include Epstein-Barr virus, lymphocryptovirus of rhesus monkeys, and Herpesvirus papio of baboons. Rhadinoviruses that infect New World mon keys include Herpesvirus saimiri, whose natural host is the squirrel monkey , and Herpesvirus ateles, which infects spider monkeys. Rhadinoviruses that infect hominoids and Old World monkeys include Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, also known as HHV-8, and rhesus monkey rhadinovirus.