Absence of horizontal transmission of herpesvirus saimiri between experimentally infected and noninfected owl monkeys.

We did not detect cell-free Herpesviurs saimiri (HVS) in the oropharyngeal secretions of owl monkeys with leukemia or lymphoma induced by this virus. These animals failed to transmit either virus or disease to their uninoculated cage-mates or room-mates. Comparison of oropharyngeal secretions of HVS from owl monkeys and squirrel monkeys may provide insight as to how human herpesviruses are maintained in the oropharynx.