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Analysis of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-specific CD8+ T-cells in Rhesus Macaques by Peptide-MHC-I Tetramer Staining
06:25

Analysis of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-specific CD8+ T-cells in Rhesus Macaques by Peptide-MHC-I Tetramer Staining

Published on: December 23, 2016

Cross-species retroviral transmission from macaques to human beings

James I Brooks1, Erling W Rud, Richard G Pilon

  • 1Bureau of HIV/AIDS, STD, and TB, Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0L2, Canada.

Lancet (London, England)
|September 21, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Simian foamy virus (SFV) can transmit from macaques to humans, a finding supported by antibody and DNA evidence in primate facility workers. This discovery has significant public health and occupational safety implications.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Primate Research
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cross-species transmission of simian foamy virus (SFV) from non-human primates like chimpanzees, baboons, and African green monkeys to humans is documented.
  • Macaques are extensively used in biomedical research, yet human SFV infection originating from macaques has not been previously reported.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential for simian foamy virus (SFV) transmission from macaques to humans working in primate facilities.
  • To identify and characterize SFV infection in human populations with occupational exposure to macaques.

Main Methods:

  • Serological testing using immunoblots with macaque foamy virus antigens to detect antibodies in primate facility workers.
  • Phylogenetic analysis of amplified proviral DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of infected individuals.

Main Results:

  • Two out of 46 primate facility workers tested positive for antibodies reactive to macaque foamy virus antigens.
  • Phylogenetic analysis of a DNA fragment from one infected individual indicated SFV infection of macaque origin.

Conclusions:

  • Human infection with simian foamy virus (SFV) originating from macaques is possible.
  • The findings highlight potential public health and occupational safety concerns due to macaque-to-human SFV transmission in research settings.

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