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Generation of a specific-pathogen-free baboon colony.
Roman F Wolf1, Richard Eberle, Gary L White
1Comparative Medicine and Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. roman-wolf@ouhsc.edu
Summary
Establishing a specific-pathogen-free (SPF) baboon colony requires early infant removal, nursery rearing, and small group housing. Aggressive virus testing and culling are crucial for developing a multi-virus-free baboon (Papio hamadryas anubis) colony.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Science
- Primatology
- Infectious Disease Control
Background:
- Researchers require specific-pathogen-free (SPF) baboons for various studies.
- Baboon colonies are susceptible to multiple viral infections, complicating research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a specific-pathogen-free (SPF) baboon (Papio hamadryas anubis) colony.
- To establish a colony free from 12 target viruses, including herpesviruses, retroviruses, simian virus 40, measles, and monkeypox.
Main Methods:
- Infant baboons were removed from dams within 24 hours of birth and nursery-reared.
- Age-matched infants were housed in small conspecific groups (3-8) for one year with repeated virus testing.
- Animals testing positive for target viruses were culled.
Main Results:
- Over 7 years, 171 infants were enrolled, with 76 (44.4%) removed; 54 were culled due to viral status breaches.
- Herpesvirus papio 1 (51.9%) and baboon cytomegalovirus (25.9%) were the most common causes for culling.
- Housing infants in smaller groups (3-4) reduced first-year losses compared to larger groups (6-8).
- 17 births in the SPF colony resulted in virus-free infants.
Conclusions:
- Early infant removal, nursery rearing, small peer group housing, frequent testing, and culling are effective for establishing multi-virus-free baboon colonies.
- This approach enables the widest possible future use of SPF baboons in research.
