Persistent Epstein-Barr virus infection in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Primate Models
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes persistent infections in humans.
• The common marmoset is a valuable non-human primate model for studying EBV.
• Previous attempts to detect EBV DNA in marmoset saliva using PCR were hindered by inhibitory substances.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a reliable method for detecting EBV DNA in marmoset saliva.
• To investigate the long-term shedding and transmission of EBV in common marmosets.
• To compare marmoset EBV infection responses with those in humans.

Main Methods:

• Developed a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay using an EBV BamHI W probe.
• Utilized Chelex 100 to remove PCR inhibitors from marmoset whole mouth fluids (WMF).
• Tested 202 WMF samples from 21 infected and 7 non-infected marmosets.

Main Results:

• Pilocarpine-induced saliva and 33% of WMF samples inhibited PCR.
• The optimized PCR method successfully detected EBV DNA in WMF.
• Five seropositive animals shed virus consistently, 15 shed intermittently.
• Neonatally infected marmosets shed virus for over 3 years and transmitted EBV to naive partners.

Conclusions:

• Common marmosets support long-term, permissive Epstein-Barr virus infection.
• The developed PCR method effectively detects EBV in marmoset saliva.
• Marmosets exhibit similar EBV infection and shedding patterns to humans, reinforcing their utility as a model.