Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
Analysis of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-specific CD8+ T-cells in Rhesus Macaques by Peptide-MHC-I Tetramer Staining
Published on: December 23, 2016
Simian foamy virus prevalence in Macaca mulatta and zookeepers
Fen Huang1, Huixuan Wang, Shenrong Jing
1Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China. huangfen6789@163.com
Abstract:
The simian foamy virus (SFV) has been reported to be transmissible among humans occupationally exposed to nonhuman primates. Nevertheless, epidemiological and genotypic data on the SFV in Macaca mulatta and zookeepers in China are limited. In the present study, SFV proviral DNA was detected in 74 blood samples from M. mulatta and 12 saliva specimens from zookeepers by nested polymerase chain reaction. A total of 29 blood samples from M. mulatta (29/74, 39.19%) and two saliva specimens from zookeepers (2/12, 16.67%) were positive. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that these SFV strains shared the highest homology with Macaca fascicularis (93.4%). The two SFV strains infected human beings, and shared the highest homology of 98.6% with each other as well as 90.8-99.5% with M. mulatta. The investigation revealed the high prevalence of the SFV in M. mulatta in China and its zoonotic transmission to humans.
Insights
Simian foamy virus (SFV) is present in rhesus macaques and can transmit to zookeepers in China. Phylogenetic analysis shows high homology with other macaque SFV strains, confirming zoonotic transmission.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Primatology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Simian foamy virus (SFV) is known to transmit to humans with occupational non-human primate exposure.
- Limited epidemiological and genetic data exist for SFV in Chinese rhesus macaques and associated zookeepers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and genetic characteristics of SFV in Macaca mulatta and zookeepers in China.
- To assess the zoonotic transmission of SFV from macaques to humans.
Main Methods:
- Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect SFV proviral DNA in blood samples from M. mulatta and saliva from zookeepers.
- Phylogenetic analysis was performed on the detected SFV strains.
Main Results:
- SFV proviral DNA was detected in 39.19% of M. mulatta (29/74) and 16.67% of zookeepers (2/12).
- SFV strains from macaques showed highest homology (93.4%) with Macaca fascicularis.
- SFV strains in humans shared high homology (98.6%) with each other and with M. mulatta SFV (90.8-99.5%).
Conclusions:
- There is a high prevalence of SFV in M. mulatta populations in China.
- Evidence supports the zoonotic transmission of SFV from rhesus macaques to humans in China.
More Related Videos
13:13Single-cell Quantitation of mRNA and Surface Protein Expression in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-infected CD4+ T Cells Isolated from Rhesus macaques
Published on: September 25, 2018
07:21Processing of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid and Matched Blood for Alveolar Macrophage and CD4+ T-cell Immunophenotyping and HIV Reservoir Assessment
Published on: June 23, 2019