Eco-Epidemiological Profile and Molecular Characterization of Simian Foamy Virus in a Recently-Captured Invasive Population of Leontopithecus chrysomelas (Golden-Headed Lion Tamarin) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

Simian foamy viruses (SFV) infect a wide range of Old World and Neotropical primates (NP). Unlike Old World primates, little is known about the diversity and prevalence of SFV in NP, mainly from a free-living population. Phylogenetic analyses have shown that SFV coevolved with their hosts. However, viral strains infecting Leontopithecus chrysomelas did not behave as expected for this hypothesis. The purpose of this study was to determine the eco-epidemiological profile and molecular characterization of SFV in a recently captured invasive population of L. chrysomelas located in Niteroi/RJ using buccal swab as an alternative collection method. A prevalence of 34.8% (32/92) and a mean viral load of 4.7 log copies of SFV/106 cells were observed. With respect to time since capture, SFV prevalence was significantly higher in the group of animals sampled over 6 months after capture (55.2%) than in those more recently captured (25.4%) (p = 0.005). Infected solitary animals can contribute to SFV transmission between different groups in the population. SFV strains formed two distinct clades within the SFV infecting the Cebidae family. This is the first study to use buccal swabs as a tool to study SFV diversity and prevalence in a recently free-living NP population upon recent capture.

Infectious diseases of neotropical primates

“…This same profile was observed in NWP from Peru, where captive animals had a prevalence of 47%, contrasting with 19% in free-ranging animals (66). Two distinct lineages of SFV co-circulating in this groups of tamarins, SFVlcm-1, known as infective for Cebiade family, and SFVlcm-2, infective for capuchins (Sapajus xanthosternos) and marmosets (C. jacchus) (126).…”

“…In captive NWP the prevalence ranges from 23% to 61%, being detected by serology and molecular evaluation (139; 178). SFV was detected in 34.8% (32/92) recently wild-caught tamarins from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, by qPCR of saliva, with similar prevalence between sex and age (126). Importantly, prevalence increased in animals with more than seven months in captivity.…”

“…SFV are a complex zoonotic exogenous retrovirus that naturally infects OWP and NWP, with occasional reports in humans that have close contact with these primates (138,139,159,178). It has been recently reported in freeranging NWP, being the only known exogenous retrovirus naturally infecting this group and it is apparently nonpathogenic (66,126,137,159,178), although co-infections with simian immunodeficient virus (SIV) accelerated SIV immunodeficiency-induced death (159,178). SFV is transmitted through bites and grooming and is latent in red blood cells.…”