First Report of Human Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) in Wild Neotropical Primates

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Virology
• Conservation Biology

Background:

• Globalization and environmental changes alter infectious disease patterns.
• Reverse zoonotic transmission (humans to wildlife) is an emerging concern.
• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) poses a potential threat to non-human primates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in wild New World primates.
• To compare HBV prevalence in anthropogenically impacted versus remote Amazonian regions.
• To identify factors associated with HBV spillover from humans to primates.

Main Methods:

• Blood and liver samples were collected from 88 primates across 28 species.
• Samples were analyzed for the presence of HBV DNA.
• Geographic location and human population density were correlated with infection rates.

Main Results:

• HBV was detected in 34.7% of primates from disturbed areas (Rondonia and Mato Grosso).
• No HBV infections were found in primates from a remote site along the upper Japurá River.
• Human population density significantly predicted HBV infection in primates.
• Detected viral genotypes matched local human HBV strains, indicating human-to-primate transmission.

Conclusions:

• Human activities, including deforestation and encroachment, facilitate HBV spillover to wild primates.
• Anthropogenically impacted areas show significantly higher rates of reverse zoonotic transmission.
• Conservation strategies must consider the impact of human-wildlife disease transmission.