Nonhuman primate bites.

Nonhuman primate (monkey) bites to researchers and attending animal care staff may present problems in patient management. Such inoculations can transmit serious bacterial and viral infections to the human handlers. Significant local and systemic manifestations can subsequently develop following such an injury. Since Herpesvirus simiae (B virus) is enzootic in Asiatic monkeys of the genus Macaca, and since B virus infection in humans is usually fatal, additional prophylactic and therapeutic measures must be taken when persons are bitten by macaque monkeys. Primate bites require early aggressive intervention.