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Seropositivity to HCV in Macaca fascicularis
A Peli1, A Scagliarini, S Cinotti
1Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie e Agroalimentari, Sezione di Medicina Interna, Università di Teramo.
The New Microbiologica
|May 22, 2002
Summary
Non-human primates pose disease risks to lab personnel. This study found Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) antigen seropositivity in Macaca fascicularis, despite no known exposure, raising questions about susceptibility.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Primate Research
Background:
- Non-human primates are vital in research but can transmit diseases to handlers.
- Hepatitis viruses are significant human public health concerns, with early outbreaks linked to non-human primates.
- Chimpanzees have been historically implicated in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of HCV antigen seropositivity in Macaca fascicularis.
- To investigate potential sources of HCV exposure in a laboratory primate colony.
- To assess the susceptibility of Macaca spp. to HCV.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a third-generation Recombinant Immunoblot Assay (RIBA) to detect HCV antigens.
- Conducted serological testing on Macaca fascicularis.
- Investigated the exposure history of the animal breeder colony.
Main Results:
- Detected seropositivity to HCV antigens in Macaca fascicularis.
- No identifiable HCV source was found within the breeder colony.
- Previous studies suggested Macaca spp. are not susceptible to HCV.
Conclusions:
- The seropositivity in Macaca fascicularis suggests a potential, yet unexplained, exposure or transmission route.
- Further investigation is needed to understand HCV epidemiology in non-human primates and its implications for laboratory safety.
- The findings challenge previous assumptions about Macaca spp. susceptibility to HCV.