Species-specific diversity among simian immunodeficiency viruses from African green monkeys

Abstract

The prevalence, natural history, and genetic characteristics of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infections in most feral African monkey species are presently unknown, yet this information is essential to elucidate their origin and relationship to other simian and human immunodeficiency viruses. In this study, a combination of classical and molecular approaches were used to identify and characterize SIV isolates from West African green monkeys (Cercopithecus sabaeus) (SIVagm isolates). Four SIVagm viruses from wildcaught West African green monkeys were isolated and analyzed biologically and molecularly. Amplification, cloning, and sequencing of a 279-bp polymerase fragment directly from uncultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells was facilitated by the use of nested polymerase chain reaction. The results indicated that West African green monkeys are naturally infected with SIVs which are closely related to East African SIVagm isolates. However, structural, antigenic, and genetic differences were observed which strongly suggest that the West African green monkey viruses comprise a phylogenetically distinct subgroup of SIVagm. These findings support our previous hypothesis that SIVagm viruses may have evolved and diverged coincident with the evolution and divergence of their African green monkey host. In addition, this study describes a polymerase chain reaction-based approach that allows the identification and molecular analysis of divergent SIV strains directly from primary monkey tissue. This approach, which does not depend on virus isolation methods, should facilitate future studies aimed at elucidating the origins and natural history of SIVs in feral African green monkey populations.

Plagues and adaptation: Lessons from the Felidae models for SARS and AIDS

“…However, in the wild, opportunities for interspecies transmission are limited and thus the virus becomes adapted to its particular host. This evolutionary pattern resembles that of naturally occurring SIV in African primates, where SIV forms monophyletic lineages that are specific to each species (Allan et al, 1991;Sharp et al, 2005) and are host-dependent. Yet, FIV transmission may have a geographic component whereby species in close proximity share more similar FIV strains.…”

Primate-to-Human Retroviral Transmission in Asia

“…SFVs are exogenous retroviruses enzootic in both New and Old World primates (16)(17)(18). Phylogenetic analyses of SFVs indicate a species-specific distribution of virus strains not unlike that of SIV among some African primate species (19)(20)(21)(22)(23). Among captive primate populations, seroprevalence of antibodies to SFV may reach 100% in adults, with many animals seroconverting before the onset of sexual maturity (19,24; J.…”

“…Western blot immunoassays were performed with a few modifications (21). Briefly, human foreskin fibroblast cells were infected with SFVbab1 (an isolate from a baboon) and maintained until notable cytopathologic changes were observed (19).…”

Simian immunodeficiency viruses replication dynamics in African non‐human primate hosts: common patterns and species‐specific differences

“…Over 40 NHP species-specific SIV types were described in the last 20 years [2,7]. SIVs have evolved in a host-dependent fashion [1,5,7,15,23].…”