B virus (Herpesvirus simiae) infection in humans: epidemiologic investigation of a cluster.

A cluster of four cases of symptomatic B virus infection in humans occurred in Pensacola, Florida, in March 1987. Three cases occurred in persons who worked with monkeys at a research facility, and the fourth resulted from apparent autoinoculation through use of a nonprescription skin cream. Contact tracing identified 159 persons who may have been exposed to B virus (21 had been exposed to monkeys at the facility and 138 had been exposed to one or more of the case-patients), but no further cases were identified. Comparisons of restriction endonuclease patterns from B virus isolates linked two of the three cases in monkey handlers to one clinically ill monkey and the other to a second, healthy monkey. Three risk factors for human infection were identified: nonuse of mechanical or chemical restraints for monkeys before handling, nonuse of available protective gear, and direct viral inoculation through the application of a topical medication.

Ocular histopathologic findings in a case of human herpes B virus infection.

A 37-year-old male laboratory technician who sustained a cutaneous penetrating wound from a rhesus monkey developed a progressive ascending encephalomyelitis due to culture-proven herpes B virus (Herpesvirus simiae) infection. He died 6 weeks after his injury despite acyclovir and ganciclovir treatment that was initiated after central nervous system symptoms developed. Histopathological examination of the patient's left eye revealed a multifocal necrotizing retinitis associated with a vitritis, optic neuritis, and prominent panuveitis. Herpes-type virus was identified in the involved retina by electron microscopy. Postmortem vitreous cultures taken from both eyes and retinal cultures taken from the right eye were positive for herpes B virus. Herpes B virus produces infection and destruction of retinal tissues similar to other herpesviruses. To our knowledge, this case represents the first histopathologic demonstration of herpes B virus infection in a human eye.

Creating an effective marketing team. Six leading healthcare marketers offer their perspectives. Interview by Richard D. Stier.

Richard D. Stier, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Adventist Health System, Shawnee Mission, Kansas, asked six top healthcare marketers to assume they had just been appointed vice president and chief marketing officer for a medium-sized, 300-bed, not-for-profit community hospital. Their mission: Create the most effective, powerhouse marketing team in the country.

A framework for the therapeutic use of group activities.

An understanding of phase development in groups is the basis of this framework for the therapeutic use of program activities for emotionally disturbed children.