Molecular epidemiology of simian immunodeficiency virus infection in wild-living gorillas.
Chimpanzees and gorillas are the only nonhuman primates known to harbor viruses closely related to HIV-1. Phylogenetic analyses showed that gorillas acquired the simian immunodeficiency virus SIVgor from chimpanzees, and viruses from the SIVcpz/SIVgor lineage have been transmitted to humans on at least four occasions, leading to HIV-1 groups M, N, O, and P. To determine the geographic distribution, prevalence, and species association of SIVgor, we conducted a comprehensive molecular epidemiological survey of wild gorillas in Central Africa. Gorilla fecal samples were collected in the range of western lowland gorillas (n = 2,367) and eastern Grauer gorillas (n = 183) and tested for SIVgor antibodies and nucleic acids. SIVgor antibody-positive samples were identified at 2 sites in Cameroon, with no evidence of infection at 19 other sites, including 3 in the range of the Eastern gorillas. In Cameroon, based on DNA and microsatellite analyses of a subset of samples, we estimated the prevalence of SIVgor to be 1.6% (range, 0% to 4.6%), which is significantly lower than the prevalence of SIVcpzPtt in chimpanzees (5.9%; range, 0% to 32%). All newly identified SIVgor strains formed a monophyletic lineage within the SIVcpz radiation, closely related to HIV-1 groups O and P, and clustered according to their field site of origin. At one site, there was evidence for intergroup transmission and a high intragroup prevalence. These isolated hot spots of SIVgor-infected gorilla communities could serve as a source for human infection. The overall low prevalence and sporadic distribution of SIVgor could suggest a decline of SIVgor in wild populations, but it cannot be excluded that SIVgor is still more prevalent in other parts of the geographical range of gorillas.
Neel
Cécile
C
UMR 145, Institute of Research and Development and University of Montpellier 1, 911 Avenue Agropolis, BP 64501, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
Etienne
Lucie
L
Li
Yingying
Y
Takehisa
Jun
J
Rudicell
Rebecca S
RS
Bass
Innocent Ndong
IN
Moudindo
Joseph
J
Mebenga
Aimé
A
Esteban
Amandine
A
Van Heuverswyn
Fran
F
Liegeois
Florian
F
Kranzusch
Philip J
PJ
Walsh
Peter D
PD
Sanz
Crickette M
CM
Morgan
David B
DB
Ndjango
Jean-Bosco N
JB
Plantier
Jean-Christophe
JC
Locatelli
Sabrina
S
Gonder
Mary K
MK
Leendertz
Fabian H
FH
Boesch
Christophe
C
Todd
Angelique
A
Delaporte
Eric
E
Mpoudi-Ngole
Eitel
E
Hahn
Beatrice H
BH
Peeters
Martine
M
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D006071:Gorilla gorilla; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D016097:Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000235:genetics*; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral