REVIEW PAPER: Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases of Nonhuman Primates in the Laboratory Setting

Abstract

Despite numerous advances in the diagnosis and control of infectious diseases of nonhuman primates in the laboratory setting, a number of infectious agents continue to plague colonies. Some, such as measles virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, cause sporadic outbreaks despite well-established biosecurity protocols, whereas others, such as retroperitoneal fibromatosis-associated herpesvirus, have only recently been discovered, often as a result of immunosuppressive experimental manipulation. Owing to the unique social housing requirements of nonhuman primates, importation of foreign-bred animals, and lack of antemortem diagnostic assays for many new diseases, elimination of these agents is often difficult or impractical. Recognition of these diseases is therefore essential because of their confounding effects on experimental data, impact on colony health, and potential for zoonotic transmission. This review summarizes the relevant pathology and pathogenesis of emerging and reemerging infectious diseases of laboratory nonhuman primates.

Pathogenic Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Is Associated with Expansion of the Enteric Virome

“…As previously observed by others using classical virologic methods (Bailey and Mansfield, 2010; Oberste et al, 2002, 2007; Sasseville and Mansfield, 2010; Wang et al, 2007), picornaviruses were detected in both control and SIV-infected rhesus monkeys (Figure 2, Table S1). This allowed us to compare the number of sequences detected in pathogenic SIV-infected and control rhesus monkeys (Figure 2F).…”

Population genetics of the California National Primate Research Center’s (CNPRC) captive Callicebus cupreus colony

“…Since emerging infectious agents remain a threat to laboratory-reared NHPs, it is important to study the effect that a specific zoonotic disease has on both genetic heterogeneity and colony health (Bailey and Mansfield 2010). A comparison of genetic diversity and genetic subdivision before and after the viral outbreak and between survivors and non-survivors of the viral outbreak revealed no significant differences, implying that no loss of variability occurred among the colony animals that could be directly attributed to the viral epizootic disease.…”

Spectrum of Bacterial Isolates from Captive Non-Human Primates in Jos Wild Life Park

“…By virtue of their genetic, physiologic and behavioural similarity to humans, NHPs are particularly likely sources of emerging infectious agents with the capacity to infect humans, and primate-to-human cross-species transmission of infectious agents has become a focus of scientific enquiry. Moreover, despite significant advances in the diagnosis of infectious diseases, unrecognized or adventitious agents are common in NHPs and have the potential to confound experimental work (Barley and Mansfield, 2010). Recent studies in India and Africa have revealed a large presence of enteric pathogens from non-human primates including major pathogens like Salmonella spp, Shigella spp and Campylobacter jejuni.…”