Primate-to-human retroviral transmission in Asia

Emerg Infect Dis. 2005 Jul;11(7):1028-35. doi: 10.3201/eid1107.040957.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • DNA, Viral / blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Indonesia / epidemiology
  • Macaca / virology*
  • Macaca fascicularis / virology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Monkey Diseases / epidemiology
  • Monkey Diseases / transmission*
  • Phylogeny
  • Retroviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Retroviridae Infections / transmission*
  • Retroviridae Infections / veterinary*
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Spumavirus* / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Viral