Seroprevalence of SV40-like polyomavirus infections in captive and free-ranging macaque species.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND METHODS:

To investigate the seroprevalence of polyomavirus infections in macaques, we analyzed 1579 sera from nine different species for antibodies cross-reactive with simian virus 40 (SV40) in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Most samples were collected from captive animals, but we also investigated a colony of free-ranging Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus).

RESULTS:

High seropositive rates were found in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta; 74.7%), cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis; 44.8%) and Tonkean macaques (Macaca tonkeana; 41.7%), especially in animals imported from China. Low rates were measured in cynomolgus macaques from Mauritius (8.8%), and in Barbary macaques (1.4%). Seropositivity was age-dependent increasing to >70% in animals of 5 years and older.

CONCLUSIONS:

High seroprevalence rates were found in different species of macaques, dependent on their origin. Very low infection rates found in Barbary macaques and cynomolgus macaques from Mauritius suggest that these animals in the wild are not commonly infected by SV40-like viruses.

• Authors: E J Verschoor, H Niphuis, Z Fagrouch, P Christian, K Sasnauskas, M C Pizarro, J L Heeney
• Journal: Journal of medical primatology (J Med Primatol) Vol. 37 Issue 4 Pg. 196-201 (Aug 2008) ISSN: 0047-2565 [Print] Denmark
• PMID: 18194222 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Viral
• Capsid Proteins
• VP1 protein, polyomavirus

Topics

• Animals
• Animals, Wild
• Animals, Zoo
• Antibodies, Viral (blood)
• Capsid Proteins (immunology)
• Macaca (virology)
• Mauritius (epidemiology)
• Polyomavirus Infections (epidemiology, veterinary)
• Seroepidemiologic Studies