Simian Foamy Virus Transmission from Apes to Humans, Rural Cameroon

Calattini, Sara; Betsem, Edouard; Froment, Alain; Mauclère, Philippe; Tortevoye, Patricia; Schmitt, Christine; Njouom, Richard; Saı̈b, Ali; Gessain, Antoine

doi:10.3201/eid1309.061162

Cited by 107 publications

(148 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…The possibility of human-to-human transmission has been investigated among a small number of SFV-positive persons and their spouses and/or children. To date, no evidence of human-tohuman transmission of SFV has been found (16,21).…”

Section: Diverse Contexts Of Zoonotic Transmission Of Simian Foamy VImentioning

confidence: 99%

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Diverse Contexts of Zoonotic Transmission of Simian Foamy Viruses in Asia

Jones‐Engel

May

Engel

et al. 2008

Emerg. Infect. Dis.

105

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In Asia, contact between persons and nonhuman primates is widespread in multiple occupational and nonoccupational contexts. Simian foamy viruses (SFVs) are retroviruses that are prevalent in all species of nonhuman primates. To determine SFV prevalence in humans, we tested 305 persons who lived or worked around nonhuman primates in several South and Southeast Asian countries; 8 (2.6%) were confi rmed SFV positive by Western blot and, for some, by PCR. The interspecies interactions that likely resulted in virus transmission were diverse; 5 macaque taxa were implicated as the source of infection. Phylogenetic analysis showed that SFV from 3 infected persons was similar to that from the nonhuman primate populations with which the infected persons reported contact. Thus, SFV infections are likely to be prevalent among persons who live or work near nonhuman primates in Asia.

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Section: Diverse Contexts Of Zoonotic Transmission Of Simian Foamy VImentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At-risk populations include veterinarians; laboratory, temple, and zoo workers; pet owners; and bushmeat hunters (16)(17)(18)(19)(20). SFV prevalence in these populations is 1%-6%.…”

Section: Diverse Contexts Of Zoonotic Transmission Of Simian Foamy VImentioning

confidence: 99%

Diverse Contexts of Zoonotic Transmission of Simian Foamy Viruses in Asia

Jones‐Engel

May

Engel

et al. 2008

Emerg. Infect. Dis.

105

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“…Several studies have documented the transmission of SFV to humans who interact directly with Old World (OW) NHP, including Cercopithicus species, baboons, macaques, mandrills, gorillas, and chimpanzees (reviewed in reference 7). SFV antibody-positive humans have been found in a variety of natural settings, including people in Asia who live in areas with free-ranging macaques, villagers in Gabon with known exposure to NHP, and a population of hunters in Cameroon with bites from Old World NHP (6,(8)(9)(10)(11). SFV antibody-positive humans have also been documented in various laboratory, veterinary, and zoo settings (12-17).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

New World Simian Foamy Virus Infections In Vivo and In Vitro

Stenbak

Craig

Ivanov

et al. 2014

J Virol

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e Foamy viruses (FV) are complex retroviruses that naturally infect all nonhuman primates (NHP) studied to date. Zoonotic transmission of Old World NHP simian foamy viruses (SFV) has been documented, leading to nonpathogenic persistent infections. To date, there have been no reports concerning zoonotic transmission of New World monkey (NWM) SFV to humans and resulting infection. In this study, we developed a Western blot assay to detect antibodies to NWM SFV, a nested PCR assay to detect NWM SFV DNA, and a ␤-galactosidase-containing indicator cell line to assay replication of NWM SFV. Using these tools, we analyzed the plasma and blood of 116 primatologists, of whom 69 had reported exposures to NWM. While 8 of the primatologists tested were seropositive for SFV from a NWM, the spider monkey, none had detectable levels of viral DNA in their blood. We found that SFV isolated from three different species of NWM replicated in some, but not all, human cell lines. From our data, we conclude that while humans exposed to NWM SFV produce antibodies, there is no evidence for long-term viral persistence. Foamy viruses (FV) are unusual complex retroviruses that infect cattle, horses, cats, and all species of nonhuman primates (NHP) examined to date (reviewed in reference 1). Simian foamy viruses (SFV) can cause life-long infections in natural hosts without any apparent pathogenicity (2). In cell culture models, SFV can establish latent infections in some cell types and lytic infections in others, resulting in cytopathic effects (CPE) that include syncytium formation (reviewed in reference 3). In infected macaques, FV DNA is found in almost all tissues, while FV RNA and replicating virus are limited to the superficial epithelial cells of the oral mucosa in immunocompetent animals (4, 5). Consistent with the site of viral replication detected in vivo, it is thought that FV are transmitted via saliva, through grooming, biting, and other behaviors. Studies of natural transmission suggest that infant and young NHP are resistant to infection, presumably because of passive immunity from maternal antibodies, but typically (for macaques) become infected by 3 years of age (6). Epidemiological studies indicate that SFV seroprevalence can reach up to 100% in adults (reviewed in reference 7).Although FV do not naturally infect humans, SFV have been found to be zoonotically transmitted, most likely through contact with saliva from an infected NHP. Several studies have documented the transmission of SFV to humans who interact directly with Old World (OW) NHP, including Cercopithicus species, baboons, macaques, mandrills, gorillas, and chimpanzees (reviewed in reference 7). SFV antibody-positive humans have been found in a variety of natural settings, including people in Asia who live in areas with free-ranging macaques, villagers in Gabon with known exposure to NHP, and a population of hunters in Cameroon with bites from Old World NHP (6,(8)(9)(10)(11). SFV antibody-positive humans have also been documented in various laboratory, veterina...

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“…Aggressions are mostly associated with fighting leading to scratches and also deep bite wounds. Such injuries might play an important role in transmission of pathogens [8,11]. In sanctuaries this may contribute to multiple infections with strains with different genetic background.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Phylogenetic tree analysis was performed with the NJ method using the 23 SFV sequences generated in this study and published relevant SFV sequences from all chimpanzee subspecies, as well as from gorilla, bonobo, orangutan, African and Asian monkeys and one sequence of an SFVinfected human [4,6,[8][9][10].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Retroviruses in Wild-Born Semi-Captive East African Sanctuary Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii)~!2010-01-28~!2010-03-24~!2010-04-20~!

Mugisha¹,

Kücherer²,

Ellerbrok³

et al. 2010

TOVSJ

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Information on retroviruses infections in great apes is scarce, especially for apes kept in sanctuaries throughout Africa. To investigate the prevalence of retroviruses and possible transmission of different retroviruses originating from chimpanzees of different origin (Uganda, Congo and Rwanda), 38 wild-born captive orphan chimpanzees residing in a sanctuary on Ngamba Island were analyzed for retroviral infections. Samples from sanctuary chimpanzees were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunoassays and polymerase chain reactions (PCR). Viruses were characterized by phylogenetic analysis. All chimpanzees were negative for antibodies against Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) and Simian T-cell Leukemia Virus (STLV). However, 28/38 (73%) chimpanzees were positive to Simian Foamy Virus (SFV) by analysis of a 425-bp DNA segment obtained by PCR using generic integrase primers homologous to highly conserved portions of the polymerase gene. Phylogenetic analysis of SFV sequences obtained in this study formed four sub clusters within the specific SFV P. t. schweinfurthii clade with significant variability among the new SFVs strains.We provide evidence of on-going cross-transmission of SFV among chimpanzees within the sanctuary mostly likely through horizontal routes. We propose to test all chimpanzees introduced into sanctuaries for retroviral and other infections. This will help avoid the spread also of pathogenic viruses in captive populations.

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Simian Foamy Virus Transmission from Apes to Humans, Rural Cameroon

Abstract: Bites from apes efficiently transmit the foamy virus to humans in natural settings in central Africa.

Cited by 107 publications

References 40 publications

Diverse Contexts of Zoonotic Transmission of Simian Foamy Viruses in Asia

Diverse Contexts of Zoonotic Transmission of Simian Foamy Viruses in Asia

New World Simian Foamy Virus Infections In Vivo and In Vitro

Retroviruses in Wild-Born Semi-Captive East African Sanctuary Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii)~!2010-01-28~!2010-03-24~!2010-04-20~!

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