Lethal infection by Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) in a captive Azara's Owl Monkey (Aotus azarae) in Paraguay

Anamnesis: A 2-year-old male Aotus azarae was brought to the wild animal clinic. The animal weighed 975 grams and was in poor body condition. The individual was kept in close contact with the caretakers, and it was fed to a large extent by the people in the household, sharing their meals. As reported by the caretaker, the animal was asthenic and anorexic since approximately 2 days ago. Clinical and laboratory findings: On clinical inspection, the animal was weakened, with pale oral mucosa and hyperemic pharynx, and a rectal temperature of 34.2°C. Dry crusts were observed in the perinasal region, and a slight dyspnea was perceived. The patient died during the inspection. The hemogram was suggestive of normocytic normochromic anemia, leukopenia, hypoproteinemia, and thrombocytopenia. The observed result of molecular analysis was detectable for HSV-1. Conclusion: Data obtained through anamnesis and clinical history, as well as hematologic findings and the PCR results, confirmed the diagnosis of HSV-1 infection. To the authors best knowledge, this is the first report of the disease in a non-human primate in Paraguay.