Switzer WM, Shanmugam V, Bhullar V, Yee JA, Lerche N, Boneva RS, Chapman LE, Folks TM, Heneine W; Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections.
9th Conf Retrovir Oppor Infect Feb 24 28 2002 Wash State Conv Trade Cent Seattle Wash Conf Retrovir Oppor Infect 9th 2002 Seattle Wash. 2002 Feb 24-28; 9: abstract no. 134-M.
CDC, Atlanta, GA
BACKGROUND: Current evidence suggests that HIV-1 and HIV-2 have originated from cross species infections of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) from non-human primates. Humans remain at risk of zoonotic infections with SIV or other simian retroviruses endemic among non-human primates. To better assess these risks we studied persons occupationally exposed to non-human primates for evidence of infection with SIV, simian T-cell lymphotropic viruses (STLV), simian foamy viruses (SFV), and simian type D retroviruses (SRV).METHODS: 279 participants from 12 North American institutions were enrolled in a voluntary study. Serum was initially screened using Western blot (WB) assays. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from reactive samples were further tested by PCR, sequence analysis, and virus isolation.RESULTS: 12 (4.3%) persons were WB-positive for SFV and 2 (0.7%) were WB-positive for SRV. 1 person was seropositive to both SRV and SFV. 1 sample was seropositive for HIV-2/SIV and was from a person with a known SIV infection. No STLV infection was identified. SFV DNA was identified by PCR in PBMC samples available from 11 SFV-seropositive persons. Phylogenetic analysis of the integrase sequence indicated SFV infections originated from an African green monkey (n=1), baboons (n=4), or chimpanzees (n=6). SFV seropositivity of a minimum of 6-24 years (mean 17.4 years) was documented for 10 persons for whom archived samples were available. All 12 SFV-infected persons were male; none appear to have disease that might be attributable to the SFV infection. Wives of 6 SFV-infected men were tested and remain uninfected. Attempts to identify SRV DNA by PCR and to isolate virus were unsuccessful in both SRV-positive persons, and seroreversion was subsequently documented in 1 person.CONCLUSIONS: This study documents simian retrovirus infection of persons occupationally exposed to NHP. These workers appear to be at a higher risk for infection with SFV than with SRV, SIV, or STLV. Study of this unique population may clarify the pathogenic potential and secondary transmissibility of simian retrovirus infections of humans, and may provide information facilitating worker protection.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Animals
- Blotting, Western
- Cercopithecus
- Humans
- Male
- Pan troglodytes
- Papio
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Primates
- Retroviridae Infections
- Retroviruses, Simian
- Simian T-lymphotropic virus 1
- Simian immunodeficiency virus
- Spumavirus
Other ID:
UI: 102263820
From Meeting Abstracts