An expanded search for simian foamy viruses (SFV) in Brazilian New World primates identifies novel SFV lineages and host age-related infections

Abstract

BackgroundWhile simian foamy viruses have co-evolved with their primate hosts for millennia, most scientific studies have focused on understanding infection in Old World primates with little knowledge available on the epidemiology and natural history of SFV infection in New World primates (NWPs). To better understand the geographic and species distribution and evolutionary history of SFV in NWPs we extend our previous studies in Brazil by screening 15 genera consisting of 29 NWP species (140 monkeys total), including five genera (Brachyteles, Cacajao, Callimico, Mico, and Pithecia) not previously analyzed. Monkey blood specimens were tested using a combination of both serology and PCR to more accurately estimate prevalence and investigate transmission patterns. Sequences were phylogenetically analyzed to infer SFV and host evolutionary histories.ResultsThe overall serologic and molecular prevalences were 42.8 and 33.6 %, respectively, with a combined assay prevalence of 55.8 %. Discordant serology and PCR results were observed for 28.5 % of the samples, indicating that both methods are currently necessary for estimating NWP SFV prevalence. SFV prevalence in sexually mature NWPs with a positive result in any of the WB or PCR assays was 51/107 (47.7 %) compared to 20/33 (61 %) for immature animals. Epidemiological analyses revealed an increase in SFV prevalence with age in captive Cebus monkeys. Phylogenetic analysis identified novel SFVs in Cacajao,Leontopithecus, and Chiropotes species that had 6–37 % nucleotide divergence to other NWP SFV. Comparison of host and SFV phylogenies showed an overall cospeciation evolutionary history with rare ancient and contemporaneous host-switching for Saimiri and Leontopithecus and Cebus xanthosternos, respectively.ConclusionsWe identified novel SFV in four neotropical monkey genera in Brazil and demonstrate that SFV prevalence increases with age in Cebus monkeys. Importantly, our test results suggest that both molecular and serological screening are currently required to accurately determine infection with NWP SFV. Our study significantly expands knowledge of the epidemiology and natural history of NWP SFVs. The tools and information provided in our study will facilitate further investigation of SFV in NWPs and the potential for zoonotic infection with these viruses.

Seroprevalence of viral infections in captive rhesus and cynomolgus macaques

“…Transmission is thought to occur via the oral route and/or through bites and scratches. Finally, SFV can be transmitted to humans (Rua and Gessain, 2015;Stenbak et al, 2014;Muniz et al, 2017;Jones-Engel et al, 2008), indicat-ing that animals and animal material should be handled with appropriate protective measures, although at present no diseases haven been linked to zoonotic transmission events.…”

A non-invasive specimen collection method and a novel simian foamy virus (SFV) DNA quantification assay in New World primates reveal aspects of tissue tropism and improved SFV detection

“…SFVpsp came from SFV-infected PBMC as described in [ 12 ]. The remaining three sequences came from SFV-positive PBMC samples described previously by our group [ 13 ]. Successful cloning of all PCR fragments was confirmed by DNA sequencing of the recombinant plasmids (data not shown).…”

“…Specificity of the NWP SFV and RPP30 qPCR assays was determined by testing of PBMC gDNA from 35 human blood donors from the U.S. previously testing negative for OWP and NWP SFV [ 12 ]. Additional specificity analysis of the SFV qPCR assay was done by testing of PBMC gDNA of 30 NWPs from 12 different species ( Aotus nigriceps , Ateles paniscus , Brachyteles arachnoides , Callicebus personatus , Callithrix jacchus , Leontopithecus chrysomelas , Leontopithecus chrysopygus , Sapajus robustus , Sapajus apella , Cacajao melanocephalus , Pithecia monachus and Saimiri sciureus ) previously shown to be SFV WB- and PCR-negative as described [ 13 ].…”

“…To clarify SFV infection status in animals with discordant nested and qPCR results we performed a WB assay using combined SFV antigens to screen for SFV antibodies in plasma from these monkeys [ 16 ]. To broadly detect NWP SFV, we used antigens from Cf2Th cell lysates infected with SFV from a common marmoset ( Callithrix jacchus , SFVcja, ATCC VR-919) and a spider monkey ( Ateles species, SFVasp) as described in detail previously [ 13 ]. Samples with seroreactivity to both p68 and p72 Gag precursor proteins with an absence of similar reactivity to antigens from uninfected Cf2Th cells were interpreted as seropositive.…”

“…Of the captive NWPs from the U.S., 45% were SFV WB-positive, while 38% of captive and wild-caught NWPs from Peru were positive [ 12 ]. Following this study, we used the same serologic and PCR methods to investigate the prevalence and species distribution of NWP SFV in 140 captive monkeys from Brazil, finding an overall serologic and molecular prevalence of 43% and 34%, respectively, and identified distinct SFV in four NWP genera [ 13 ]. Although a high prevalence and wide diversity of NWP SFV exists, only a single study examined the risk of SFV infection in workers exposed to NWP [ 14 ].…”