Diverse contexts of zoonotic transmission of simian foamy viruses in Asia.
In Asia, contact between persons and nonhuman primates is widespread in multiple occupational and nonoccupational contexts. Simian foamy viruses (SFVs) are retroviruses that are prevalent in all species of nonhuman primates. To determine SFV prevalence in humans, we tested 305 persons who lived or worked around nonhuman primates in several South and Southeast Asian countries; 8 (2.6%) were confirmed SFV positive by Western blot and, for some, by PCR. The interspecies interactions that likely resulted in virus transmission were diverse; 5 macaque taxa were implicated as a potential source of infection. Phylogenetic analysis showed that SFV from 3 infected persons was similar to that from the nonhuman primate populations with which the infected persons reported contact. Thus, SFV infections are likely to be prevalent among persons who live or work near nonhuman primates in Asia.
Jones-Engel
Lisa
L
Division of International Programs, National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA. jonesengel@bart.rprc.washington.edu
May
Cynthia C
CC
Engel
Gregory A
GA
Steinkraus
Katherine A
KA
Schillaci
Michael A
MA
Fuentes
Agustin
A
Rompis
Aida
A
Chalise
Mukesh K
MK
Aggimarangsee
Nantiya
N
Feeroz
Mohammed M
MM
Grant
Richard
R
Allan
Jonathan S
JS
Putra
Arta
A
Wandia
I Nengah
IN
Watanabe
Robin
R
Kuller
LaRene
L
Thongsawat
Satawat
S
Chaiwarith
Romanee
R
Kyes
Randall C
RC
Linial
Maxine L
ML
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D018420:Ape Diseases / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D001208:Asia / Q000453:epidemiology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010802:Phylogeny; D012192:Retroviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D053150:Simian foamy virus; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000635:transmission*
D004279:DNA, Viral