Prevalence and molecular characterization of the polymerase gene of gibbon lymphocryptovirus.
BACKGROUND
Lymphocryptovirus (LCV) is found in various non-human primates. As a herpesvirus naturally infecting gibbons it is closely related to human Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with which it shares considerable genetic, biological and epidemiologic features.


METHODS
We collected blood samples from 70 gibbons (51 Hylobates lar, 18 Hylobates pileatus and 1 Hylobates agilis) for further separation into serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).


RESULTS
Only 13 of 70 (18.6%) sera were serologically positive for human EBV IgG but 64 of 70 (91.4%) PBMCs yielded the partial LCV DNA polymerase gene by semi-nested PCR, which we subjected to direct sequencing. All sequences showed 84% nucleic acid and 91% amino acid identity to human EBV. Phylogenetic tree analysis demonstrated gibbon LCVs clustered separately from other gammaherpesvirinae but closely related to LCV of other species.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on LCV DNA detection, we discovered a high prevalence of LCV infection among gibbons. Further characterization of non-human primate LCV might thus provide new insight into both evolution and pathogenicity of gammaherpesvirinae.
Phakdeewirot
Piraya
P
Center of Excellence in Viral Hepatitis Research, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Payungporn
Sunchai
S
Chutinimitkul
Salin
S
Theamboonlers
Apiradee
A
Poovorawan
Yong
Y
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001483:Base Sequence; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000235:genetics*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D006922:Hylobates / Q000097:blood / Q000821:virology*; D018143:Lymphocryptovirus / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase