Updated practice for detection of viral infections in breeding macaques

Macaques, particularly rhesus ( Macaca mulatta) and cynomolgus ( M. fascicularis) monkeys, are widely utilized in biomedical and toxicological research. Despite their critical role, effective vaccines against many viral pathogens affecting these primates remain limited, and vaccination is generally avoided in experimental populations to prevent potential confounding outcomes. Consequently, maintaining viral control within macaque colonies depends on stringent surveillance, systematic diagnostic testing, and rigorously enforced quarantine protocols. Accurate and early detection of viral infections is therefore essential for colony management and research integrity. This review synthesizes current knowledge on 10 major viruses affecting macaque colonies, outlining their biological characteristics and diagnostic methodologies, and further assesses recent technological advances in viral detection. Drawing upon five years of surveillance data collected by VRL-Asia from breeding facilities across China, this review highlights the prevalence patterns of viral infections among breeding macaques and identifies critical epidemiological trends. These insights provide a valuable reference for researchers, veterinarians, and laboratory personnel seeking to strengthen biosecurity frameworks and ensure the reliability of research involving macaques.