Differential detection of B virus and rhesus cytomegalovirus in rhesus macaques.
Non-human primate herpesviruses establish and maintain a lifelong persistent infection in immunocompetent hosts in the absence of clinical signs of disease. A fundamental issue for understanding the natural history of non-human primate herpesviruses is whether the viruses are maintained in a truly latent state or one characterized by a low level of chronic expression. To address this issue, a real-time PCR assay was developed to quantify Cercopithecine herpesvirus type 1 (B virus) DNA in mucosal fluids of rhesus macaques. This assay was rapid, sensitive (10 genome copies) and specific for B virus obtained from multiple species of macaques. The shedding profile of B virus was compared to another endemic herpesvirus, rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV), in colony-reared monkeys. Mucosal swabs or saliva samples were taken daily from two groups of seropositive monkeys undergoing either a stressful relocation (group 1) or daily chair restraint (group 2). B virus DNA was detected in mucosal fluids from four animals relocated during the breeding season (group 1) but not from 10 animals moved at other times of the year. No B virus DNA was detected in any group 2 monkey. In contrast, RhCMV DNA was detected in the majority of animals of both groups 1 and 2. Detection of B virus DNA shedding is a relatively rare event associated with the breeding season, while RhCMV DNA is persistently detected in mucosal fluids of most monkeys.
Huff
J L
JL
Center for Comparative Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.|Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Eberle
R
R
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA.
Capitanio
J
J
California National Primate Research Center, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Zhou
S S
SS
Center for Comparative Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Barry
P A
PA
California National Primate Research Center, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.|Department of Medical Pathology, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.|Center for Comparative Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
D000818:Animals; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D006568:Herpesvirus 1, Cercopithecine / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D008992:Monkey Diseases / Q000821:virology*; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors
D004279:DNA, Viral