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SIV from stump-tailed macaques: molecular characterization of a highly transmissible primate lentivirus
F J Novembre1, V M Hirsch, H M McClure
1Department of Microbiology, Georgetown University, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
Abstract:
Over the past 6 years, simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) have been isolated from four distinct species of macaques (Macaca mulatta, M. fascicularis, M. nemestrina, and M. arctoides) in captivity in the United States. However, the epidemiologic and genetic relationships among SIVs from the four species are not well understood. SIV from stump-tailed macaques (M. arctoides) (SIVstm) is unusual in that it has been associated with outbreaks of infection characterized by aggressive spread within stump-tailed macaque colonies at two separate primate centers in the United States. To characterize SIVstm at the molecular level, we have derived six biologically active viral DNA clones by polymerase chain reaction amplification of genomic DNA from infected cells. Nucleotide sequence analyses of one clone (SIVstm/37.16) showed that SIVstm was indeed a member of the previously defined group of simian lentiviruses that are closely related to the human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2). However, our data indicate that SIVstm is equidistantly related to the other SIVs from macaques (SIVmac 251/142 and SIVmne) and SIV from African sooty mangabeys (SIVsmm). These findings suggest that SIV from captive macaques may have originated from several cross-species transmissions from imported sooty mangabeys and that additional spread has been fostered by the exchange of macaques among primate centers.
Insights
Simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) in captive macaques are closely related to human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2). These SIVs likely originated from sooty mangabeys, with spread facilitated by macaque exchange between research centers.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Primate Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) have been identified in four macaque species in U.S. captivity over six years.
- The epidemiological and genetic links among these SIV strains remain unclear.
- SIV from stump-tailed macaques (SIVstm) is notable for aggressive outbreaks in captive colonies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To molecularly characterize SIVstm.
- To understand the genetic relationships between SIVstm and other SIVs.
- To investigate the origins and spread of SIV in captive macaques.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of SIVs from four macaque species.
- Derivation of six biologically active SIVstm DNA clones via PCR.
- Nucleotide sequence analysis of SIVstm clones, including SIVstm/37.16.
Main Results:
- SIVstm is confirmed as a simian lentivirus, closely related to human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2).
- SIVstm shows equidistant genetic relationships to other macaque SIVs (SIVmac, SIVmne) and SIV from sooty mangabeys (SIVsmm).
- Analysis revealed SIVstm is a distinct lineage within the simian lentivirus group.
Conclusions:
- SIVs in captive macaques may stem from multiple cross-species transmissions from imported sooty mangabeys.
- The exchange of macaques among research facilities likely facilitated SIV transmission.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate SIV evolution and epidemiology in primate colonies.