Sero-Prevalence of Herpesvirus Papio 2 in Wild-Caught Olive Baboons from Selected Regions in Kenya

Background: Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are prevalent in humans and cause significant morbidity and even mortality. There is no cure for HSV, and available drugs only shorten the recovery period and may lengthen time between recurrences. Development of an animal model that closely resembles humans is crucial for testing of new treatment interventions. Baboons carry a virus (Herpesvirus papio 2; HVP2) that is closely related to HSV. HVP2 produces infections in baboons that are clinically similar to those caused by HSV in humans. While baboons show promise as an animal model for studying HSV, the overall and comparative prevalence of HVP2 in male and female wild baboons is not known. Methods: In this study, the sero prevalence of HVP2 in baboons was determined by detection ofanti-HVP2 antibodies in sera from 189 wild baboons captured from different regions of Kenya. A PCR test with specific primers targeting the UL41gene of HVP2was used to confirm the presence of HVP2. Results: In total, 87% of the baboons had been exposed to HVP2. About 90% of female and 83% of male baboons were sero positive for HVP2. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of HVP2 in baboons from different geographic regions. PCR test confirmed the presence of HVP2 strain in a sero positive baboon captured from Laikipia County of Kenya. Conclusion: The prevalence of HVP2 was high in baboons from different regions within Kenya. There was no significant difference in HVP2 infection rates in females and males. Information on sero prevalence and molecular epidemiology of HVP2 will positively influence the use of baboons as models to study the pathogenesis of HSV and test vaccine strategies.