Characterization of an Epstein-Barr virus-related gammaherpesvirus from common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).
A gammaherpesvirus related to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV; Human herpesvirus 4) infects otherwise healthy common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). Long-term culture of common marmoset peripheral blood lymphocytes resulted in outgrowth of spontaneously immortalized lymphoblastoid cell lines, primarily of B cell lineage. Electron microscopy of cells and supernatants showed herpesvirus particles. There were high rates of serological cross-reactivity to other herpesviruses (68-86%), but with very low geometric mean antibody titres [1:12 to human herpesvirus 6 and 1:14 to Herpesvirus papio (Cercopithecine herpesvirus 12)]. Sequence analysis of the conserved herpesvirus DNA polymerase gene showed that the virus is a member of the lymphocryptovirus subgroup and is most closely related to a lymphocryptovirus from rhesus macaques and is closely related to EBV and Herpesvirus papio. High seroprevalence (79%, with geometric mean antibody titre of 1:110) among 28 common marmosets from two geographically distinct colonies indicated that the virus is likely present in many common marmosets in captivity. A New World primate harbouring a lymphocryptovirus suggests that this subgroup arose much earlier than previously thought.
Jenson
Hal B
HB
Departments of Pediatrics1 and Microbiology2, The University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.
Ench
Yasmin
Y
Departments of Pediatrics1 and Microbiology2, The University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.
Zhang
Yanjin
Y
Departments of Pediatrics1 and Microbiology2, The University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.
Gao
Shou-Jiang
SJ
Departments of Pediatrics1 and Microbiology2, The University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.
Arrand
John R
JR
Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester, UK3.
Mackett
Michael
M
Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester, UK3.
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002144:Callithrix / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D002460:Cell Line; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000235:genetics; D018142:Gammaherpesvirinae / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000821:virology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase