Primate-to-human retroviral transmission in Asia.
We describe the first reported transmission to a human of simian foamy virus (SFV) from a free-ranging population of nonhuman primates in Asia. The transmission of an exogenous retrovirus, SFV, from macaques (Macaca fascicularis) to a human at a monkey temple in Bali, Indonesia, was investigated with molecular and serologic techniques. Antibodies to SFV were detected by Western blotting of serum from 1 of 82 humans tested. SFV DNA was detected by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from the blood of the same person. Cloning and sequencing of PCR products confirmed the virus's close phylogenetic relationship to SFV isolated from macaques at the same temple. This study raises concerns that persons who work at or live around monkey temples are at risk for infection with SFV.
Jones-Engel
Lisa
L
University of Washington National Primate Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA. jonesengel@bart.rprc.washington.edu
Engel
Gregory A
GA
Schillaci
Michael A
MA
Rompis
Aida
A
Putra
Artha
A
Suaryana
Komang Gde
KG
Fuentes
Agustin
A
Beer
Brigitte
B
Hicks
Sarah
S
White
Robert
R
Wilson
Brenda
B
Allan
Jonathan S
JS
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008251:Macaca / Q000821:virology*; D008252:Macaca fascicularis / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008992:Monkey Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D010802:Phylogeny; D012192:Retroviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission* / Q000662:veterinary*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D016092:Spumavirus / Q000235:genetics
D004279:DNA, Viral