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Reovirus-associated meningoencephalomyelitis in baboons
S Kumar1, E J Dick, Y R Bommineni
1Texas Biomedical Research Institute, Southwest National Primate Research Center, 7620 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78227, USA.
Veterinary Pathology
|July 30, 2013
Summary
Baboon orthoreovirus (BRV) causes meningoencephalomyelitis (MEM) in baboons. New diagnostic assays confirm BRV as the primary cause of MEM in most affected captive baboons at SNPRC.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Virology
- Primate Medicine
Background:
- Baboon orthoreovirus (BRV) has been suspected in causing meningoencephalomyelitis (MEM) in captive baboons at the Southwest National Primate Research Center (SNPRC) for two decades.
- Previous diagnostic limitations hindered confirmation of BRV as the causative agent of MEM in these animals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate diagnostic assays for detecting Baboon orthoreovirus (BRV).
- To determine the prevalence and association of BRV with suspected cases of meningoencephalomyelitis (MEM) in baboons at SNPRC.
Main Methods:
- Development of an immunohistochemistry (IHC)-based assay utilizing an antibody against BRV p15 protein.
- Development of a conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay with BRV-specific primers.
- Testing of 68 archived baboon tissue samples suspected of MEM using both IHC and PCR, alongside alphavirus and flavivirus screening.
Main Results:
- The IHC assay identified BRV in 87% (59/68) of suspected MEM cases.
- PCR results showed discrepancies with IHC, with some cases testing positive by PCR when negative by IHC, and vice versa.
- Both developed assays demonstrated a sensitivity of 75% when tested against a virus isolation positive control.
Conclusions:
- Baboon orthoreovirus (BRV) is the predominant cause of viral non-suppurative meningoencephalomyelitis (MEM) in the studied baboon population at SNPRC.
- The developed IHC and PCR assays are valuable tools for diagnosing BRV-associated MEM in baboons.
- BRV should be considered a key differential diagnosis for nonsuppurative MEM in baboons.
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