Detection of SRV/D shedding in body fluids of cynomolgus macaques and comparison of partial gp70 sequences in SRV/D-T isolates

Abstract

We previously reported the isolation of a novel subtype of SRV/D-Tsukuba (SRV/D-T) from two cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca facicularis) in the breeding colony of Tsukuba Primate Research Center (TPRC). We surveyed for SRV/D infection in the TPRC cynomolgus colony using SRV/D-specific PCR primer sets designed based on the entire gag region sequence. The only SRV/D subtype detected in the colony was SRV/D-T with a positive infection rate of 22.4% (n = 49). It has been reported that the mode of transmission of SRV/D is via contact with virus shed in the body fluids. In this report, to investigate the infection route of SRV/D-T in monkeys at TPRC, we performed virus isolation and PCR for detection of the SRV/D genome from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), plasma, saliva, urine, and feces. Virus isolation and PCR detection were positive in plasma, saliva, urine, and fecal samples from all monkeys on which virus was isolated from PBMCs. This suggests that the spread of SRV/D-T infection in TPRC is via contact with virus shed in saliva, urine, and/or feces. Also, comparison of sequences of gp70 on multiple SRV/D-T isolates revealed that there was little intra- and inter-monkey variation, suggesting that SRV/D-T is fairly stable.

The complete genome and genetic characteristics of SRV-4 isolated from cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)

“…Gag gene data has been shown in Table 1 above. Comparison of the partial env gp70 gene (544bp) of SRV/D-T (AB197850) (Hara et al, 2007) to the corresponding position in SRV4/TEX/2009/V1-3 yielded a 95.8 to 96.1% nucleotide identity and a 92.8 to 93.9% amino acid identity. Although not reported as an SRV-4 at the time it was discovered, these high sequence identities between SRV/D-T and our SRV-4 viruses, demonstrate that SRV/D-T is in the SRV-4 group.…”

“…Since SRV/D infection interferes with host immune responses in research animals, it can severely compromise research results. SRV/D can be transmitted among monkeys by blood, saliva, urine, feces, or by mother to infant transmission (Fujimoto et al, 2010; Hara et al, 2007; Lerche et al, 1986; Tsai et al, 1990). Cross-species transmission from monkeys to humans is also possible, although no disease has been reported.…”

“…In Japan, a new SRV subtype SRV/D-T was isolated from cynomolgus macaques (Hara et al, 2005b). SRV/D-T antibodies cross-reacted with SRV-2 antigen and SRV/D-T full-length gag and partial env sequences are available (Hara et al, 2005b; Hara et al, 2007). …”

Development of a generic real-time PCR assay for simultaneous detection of proviral DNA of simian Betaretrovirus serotypes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and secondary uniplex assays for specific serotype identification

“…SRV is endemic in many populations of wild and captive macaques and to date five distinct serotypes have been identified by conventional virus neutralization assays (Hara et al, 2007; Hara et al, 2005; Lerche, 2005; Lerche et al, 1997; Lerche et al, 1986; Lerche et al, 1994; Lowenstine et al, 1986; Maul et al, 1986; Wolfe-Coote, 2005). Undetected SRV infection has also been recognized as a potential confounding variable in biomedical research protocols using macaques as research subjects (Lerche, 2003; Maul et al, 1986).…”

Vesicular Stomatitis Virus-Simian Retrovirus Type 2 Vaccine Protects Macaques from Detectable Infection and B-Cell Destruction

“…Although a proportion of animals recover and control viral replication, others remain healthy carriers and can transmit virus by biting, through saliva (11). While effective immune control in some individuals may limit transmission of SRV-2 within a colony, it highlights the occurrence of latently infected animals from which reactivated virus may be transmitted under certain circumstances through various routes of transmission (21).…”