Primate-to-human retroviral transmission in Asia

Lisa Jones-Engel, Gregory A. Engel, Michael A. Schillaci, Aida Rompis, Artha Putra, Komang Gde Suaryana, Agustin Fuentes, Brigitte Beer, Sarah Hicks, Robert White, Brenda Wilson, Jonathan S. Allan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

127 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1028-1035
Number of pages8
JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases
Volume11
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2005
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

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