Survey of captive cynomolgus macaque colonies for SRV/D infection using polymerase chain reaction assays

Comp Med. 2005 Apr;55(2):145-9.

Abstract

The exogenous simian type D retroviruses (SRV/Ds) are prevalent in macaque monkeys and sometimes cause immunodeficiency with anemia, weight loss, and persistent unresponsive diarrhea. SRV/D isolates are classified as subtypes 1 to 6, and the entire sequences of the gag region of SRV/D-1, -2, and -3 and SRV/D-Tsukuba (SRV/D-T) have been determined. We designed specific primers in the gag region of SRV/D-T that enabled us to directly detect by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) SRV/D-T proviral DNA sequences in DNA extracted from whole blood. Using this assay and another PCR assay that detects multiple SRV/D subtypes, we performed a survey for SRV/D infection in our specific pathogen-free (SPF) and conventional colonies at Tsukuba Primate Center (TPC). In the SPF colony, no SRV/D signal was detected in any animal. On the other hand, SRV/D-T was detected in 11 of 49 animals (22.5%) in the conventional colony. SRV/D-T was the only SRV/D subtype detected. Consequently, SRV/D-T is the major SRV/D subtype present in cynomolgus monkeys at TPC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Female
  • Genes, gag
  • Health Surveys
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Macaca fascicularis / virology*
  • Male
  • Monkey Diseases / epidemiology
  • Monkey Diseases / pathology
  • Monkey Diseases / virology*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary*
  • Retroviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Retroviridae Infections / pathology
  • Retroviridae Infections / veterinary*
  • Retroviruses, Simian / genetics
  • Retroviruses, Simian / isolation & purification*
  • Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
  • Tumor Virus Infections / epidemiology
  • Tumor Virus Infections / pathology
  • Tumor Virus Infections / veterinary*

Substances

  • DNA, Viral