Modes of transmission and genetic diversity of foamy viruses in a Macaca tonkeana colony

BACKGROUND: Foamy viruses are exogenous complex retroviruses that are highly endemic in several animal species, including monkeys and apes, where they cause persistent infection. Simian foamy viral (SFV) infection has been reported in few persons occupationally exposed to non-human primates (NHP) in zoos, primate centers and laboratories, and recently in few hunters from central Africa. Most of the epidemiological works performed among NHP populations concern cross-sectional studies without long-term follow-up. Therefore, the exact timing and the modes of transmission of SFVs remain not well known, although sexual and oral transmissions have been suspected. We have conducted a longitudinal study in a free-breeding colony of Macaca tonkeana in order (1) to determine the prevalence of the infection by foamy viruses, (2) to characterize molecularly the viruses infecting such animals, (3) to study their genetic variability overtime by long-term follow-up of several DNA samples in a series of specific animals, and (4) to get new insights concerning the timing and the modes of SFVs primary infection in these monkeys by combining serology and molecular means, as well as studies of familial structures and long-term behavioral observations. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: We first demonstrated that this colony was highly endemic for SFVs, with a clear increase of seroprevalence with age. Only 4.7% of immatures, and 43,7% of sub-adults were found seropositive, while 89.5% of adults exhibited antibodies directed against SFV. We further showed that 6 different strains of foamy viruses (exhibiting a very low intra-strain and overtime genetic variability in the integrase gene) are circulating within this group. This suggests a possible infection by different strains within an animal. Lastly, we provide strong evidence that foamy viruses are mostly acquired through severe bites, mainly in sub-adults or young adults. Most cases of seroconversion occur after 7 years of age; from this age individuals competed for access to sexual partners, thus increasing the likelihood of being wounded. Furthermore, all the serological and molecular data, obtained in this free-breeding colony, argue against a significant transmission of SFVs from mother or father to infants as well as between siblings

Cestode infections in non-human primates suggest the existence of zoonotic cycles in the area surrounding the Strasbourg primatology center

Background: Several cases of infections due to Echinococcus multilocularis, Taenia martis and Taenia crassiceps were recently described in various species of captive non-human primates (NHPs) harbored in the Strasbourg Primate Center (SPC). Furthermore, one of the first cases of human cysticercosis due to T. martis was described in the Strasbourg region. These data suggest the existence of zoonotic cycles of tapeworm infections in the direct environment of the SPC. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of larval cestode infections among intermediate and definitive hosts in the close neighborhood of the center. We analyzed carnivore mammal fecal samples as well as rodent carcasses, collected inside or near the SPC, using PCR. Furthermore, we performed serology for Echinococcus spp. and Taenia spp. on NHP sera. Results: We found that 14.5% (95% CI [8.6; 20.4]) of 138 carnivore feces were positive for E. multilocularis-DNA, as well as 25% (95% CI [5.5; 57.2]) of 12 rodent carcasses, and 5.1% (95% CI [1.4; 8.7]) for T. martis or T. crassiceps. Of all NHPs tested, 10.1% (95% CI [3.8; 16.4]) were seropositive for Echinococcus spp. and 8.2% (95% CI [1.3; 15.1]) for Taenia spp. Conclusions: Our data support the existence of zoonotic cycles of larval cestode infections in the direct environment of the primatology center affecting NHPs harbored in the SPC, potentially threatening the human population living in this area. Since this zoonotic risk is borne by local wildlife, and given the severity of these infections, it seems necessary to put in place measures to protect captive NHPs, and further studies to better assess the risk to human populations

Comparative genomics reveals the hybrid origin of a macaque group

Although species can arise through hybridization, compelling evidence for hybrid speciation has been reported only rarely in animals. Here, we present phylogenomic analyses on genomes from 12 macaque species and show that the fascicularis group originated from an ancient hybridization between the sinica and silenus groups ~3.45 to 3.56 million years ago. The X chromosomes and low-recombination regions exhibited equal contributions from each parental lineage, suggesting that they were less affected by subsequent backcrossing and hence could have played an important role in maintaining hybrid integrity. We identified many reproduction-associated genes that could have contributed to the development of the mixed sexual phenotypes characteristic of the fascicularis group. The phylogeny within the silenus group was also resolved, and functional experimentation confirmed that all extant Western silenus species are susceptible to HIV-1 infection. Our study provides novel insights into macaque evolution and reveals a hybrid speciation event that has occurred only very rarely in primates

Utilisation et résistance d’un nouveau jouet introduit chez des macaques cynomolgus hébergés en milieu standard ou appauvri

Les centres fournisseurs et utilisateurs de primates non-humains (PNH) à des fins scientifiques hébergent les animaux dans des conditions adaptées à leur statut sanitaire et leur rôle ponctuel (reproduction, élevage, stabulation, en étude) tout en prenant en compte les contraintes liées à la compatibilité des individus et des locaux disponibles. Que les animaux soient hébergés en milieu « standard » (en groupe social d’une dizaine d’individus dans une volière avec accès extérieur) ou en milieu « appauvri » (en paire en enclos sans accès extérieur) pour raison sanitaire ou vétérinaire, un programme d’enrichissement adapté est mis en place pour améliorer le bien-être des animaux en captivité. L’un des enrichissements non alimentaires le plus utilisé chez le PNH est le « jouet ». Celui-ci se doit d’être manipulable, non toxique, résistant sans oublier qu’il doit être adapté aux contraintes que représentent les différentes conditions d’hébergement. Par-dessus tout, un objet ne peut être considéré comme enrichissement tant que son efficacité en termes d’induction de comportements d’intérêt et d’interaction exprimés par l’animal envers celui-ci n’a pas été prouvée. Le fournisseur de matériel biomédical PLEXX vient de mettre sur le marché une nouvelle gamme de jouets (Zogoflex) « extrêmement résistants et flexibles » dont l’efficacité et la réelle résistance à long terme n’ont pas encore été testées chez les PNH. En collaboration avec Silabe, centre fournisseur et utilisateur de PNH, l’un des jouets de la gamme a été testé. Le jouet « Bumi » était introduit dans quatre conditions différentes chez des macaques cynomolgus : un groupe de jeunes femelles hébergées en milieu standard, un groupe de mâles adultes hébergés en milieu standard, une paire de jeunes femelles hébergées en milieu appauvri et une paire de mâles adultes hébergés en milieu appauvri. Les comportements d’interaction exprimés par les animaux envers le nouveau jouet ont été filmés puis relevés à l’aide du logiciel The Observer (Noldus, Pays-Bas) via la méthode de focal sampling lors de quatre périodes d’observations continues de deux heures réparties sur les 48 heures suivant l’introduction du jouet (deux heures le matin et deux heures l’après-midi, pendant deux jours). Les résultats ont montré que les deux groupes d’animaux hébergés en milieu standard interagissent avec le jouet pendant 92,9 % du temps pour les jeunes femelles et 80,4 % pour les mâles adultes, avec une utilisation majoritaire en hauteur par rapport au sol. En revanche, les paires hébergées en milieu appauvri, bien qu’ayant moins d’autres stimuli, n’ont passé que 0,3 % du temps à interagir avec le jouet pour les jeunes femelles et 6,3 % pour les mâles adultes. Il semblerait que ce genre d’enrichissement non alimentaire présente moins d’intérêt pour les animaux hébergés en milieu appauvri que pour ceux hébergés en milieu standard, quels que soient l’âge et le sexe, peut-être à cause de l’effet de compétition pour la ressource qui est plus importante dans un groupe de dix d’animaux que dans une paire. Les animaux hébergés en paire en enclos sans accès à l’extérieur, plus préoccupés par ce qui se passe en dehors de leur enclos, prêteraient moins d’attention aux nouveautés introduites dans leur espace de vie que les animaux hébergés en groupe social dans une volière avec accès extérieur qui se soucieraient davantage de ce qui se passe à l’intérieur de leur volière. Concernant la résistance, l’un des jouets a été fortement abimé en seulement deux semaines à cause de morsures chez le groupe de mâles adultes. Toutefois, la résistance et la flexibilité qu'offre cette nouvelle gamme de jouets sont très satisfaisantes pour une utilisation chez des PNH, hormis pour les animaux à grandes canines

Influence of climatic factors on Pneumocystis carriage within a socially organized group of immunocompetent Macaques (Macaca fascicularis)

International audienceAs monkeys-derived Pneumocystis is closely related to P jirovecii, simian populations should be considered as valuable models for the understanding of the epidemiology of human pneumocystosis. In the present study, the impact of environmental factors on the carriage of Pneumocystis was evaluated in socially organized group of immunocompetent macaques (Macaca fascicularis). The tribe, maintained in partial release at the Primatoloay Center of Strasbourg in France, comprised 29 animals at the end of the study. From December 2000 to November 2002, deep nasal swab samples were collected monthly from each animal under general anaesthesia. The presence of Pneumocystis DNA was assessed by nested PCR of mtLSU rRNA gene. No case of pneumocystosis was reported during the study. Pneumocystis DNA was detected in 166 out of 481 swab samples examined (34.5%). The number of macaques with detectable Pneumocystis DNA was highly variable from one month to another. However, Pneumocystis carriage was clearly correlated to the mean precipitation rates

Phylogenetic relationships among Pneumocystis from Asian macaques inferred from mitochondrial rRNA sequences

International audienceThe presence of Pneumocystis organisms was detected by nested-PCR at mitochondrial large subunit (mtLSU) rRNA gene in 23 respiratory samples from Asian macaques representing two species: Macaca mulatta and M. fascicularis. A very high level of sequence heterogeneity was detected with 18 original sequence types. Two genetic groups of Pneumocystis could be distinguished from the samples. Within each group, the extent of genetic divergence was low (2.5 +/- 1.4% in group 1 and 2.3 +/- 1.7% in group 2). Genetic divergences were systematically higher when macaque-derived sequence types were compared with Pneumocystis mtLSU sequences from other primate species (from 5.3 +/- 2.7% to 19.3 +/- 3.0%). The two macaque-derived groups may be considered as distinct Pneumocystis species. Surprisingly, these Pneumocystis species were recovered from both M. mulatta and M. fascicularis suggesting that host-species restriction may not systematically occur in the genus Pneumocystis. Alternatively, these observations question about the species concept in macaques

Molecular and serological evidence of Pneumocystis circulation in a social organization of healthy macaques (Macaca fascicularis)

International audienceSimian populations represent valuable models for understanding the epidemiology of human pneumocystosis. The present study aims to describe the circulation of Pneumocystis organisms within a social organization of healthy crab-eating macaques (Macaca fascicularis) living in a natural setting in France. Animals were followed for up to 2 years. Deep nasal swab and blood samples were collected monthly from each animal under general anaesthesia. Environmental air was sampled for a 1 week period every month in the park where the macaques dwelt. Pneumocystis DNA was detected by nested-PCIR of mitochondrial large subunit rRNA (mtLSU) gene in nasal swab and air samples. Anti-Pneumocystis IgG antibodies were detected in serum samples by indirect immuno-fluorescence assay. Pneumocystis DNA was detected in 168 of 500 swab samples examined (33-6%). The number of macaques with detectable Pneumocystis DNA was highly variable from one month to another. Positive detection of Pneumocystis DNA was not related to the detection of serum anti-Pneumocystis antibody. During the second year of the study, Pneumocystis DNA was amplified more frequently from unweaned macaques than from adults or subadults. The mtLSU sequence showed marked polymorphism with eight Pneumocystis sequence types representing two distinct groups. On the whole, a constant and intensive circulation of Pneumocystis organisms within the community was observed. However, the implication of the various members of the colony was probably different and several levels of colonization by Pneumocystis may occur in immunocompetent macaques

Cestode infections in non-human primates suggest the existence of zoonotic cycles in the area surrounding the Strasbourg primatology center

International audienceBackground: Several cases of infections due to Echinococcus multilocularis, Taenia martis and Taenia crassiceps were recently described in various species of captive non-human primates (NHPs) harbored in the Strasbourg Primate Center (SPC). Furthermore, one of the first cases of human cysticercosis due to T. martis was described in the Strasbourg region. These data suggest the existence of zoonotic cycles of tapeworm infections in the direct environment of the SPC. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of larval cestode infections among intermediate and definitive hosts in the close neighborhood of the center. We analyzed carnivore mammal fecal samples as well as rodent carcasses, collected inside or near the SPC, using PCR. Furthermore, we performed serology for Echinococcus spp. and Taenia spp. on NHP sera. Results: We found that 14.5% (95% CI [8.6; 20.4]) of 138 carnivore feces were positive for E. multilocularis-DNA, as well as 25% (95% CI [5.5; 57.2]) of 12 rodent carcasses , and 5.1% (95% CI [1.4; 8.7]) for T. martis or T. crassiceps. Of all NHPs tested, 10.1% (95% CI [3.8; 16.4]) were seropositive for Echinococcus spp. and 8.2% (95% CI [1.3; 15.1]) for Taenia spp. Conclusions: Our data support the existence of zoonotic cycles of larval cestode infections in the direct environment of the primatology center affecting NHPs harbored in the SPC, potentially threatening the human population living in this area. Since this zoonotic risk is borne by local wildlife, and given the severity of these infections, it seems necessary to put in place measures to protect captive NHPs, and further studies to better assess the risk to human populations. Ré sumé-Des cestodoses chez des primates non humains suggèrent l'existence de cycles zoonotiques dans la région du centre de primatologie de Strasbourg. Contexte : Plusieurs cas de cestodoses larvaires dues à Echinococcus multilocularis, Taenia martis et T. crassiceps ont été récemment décrits chez des primates non-humains (PNH) captifs appartenant à diverses espèces, hébergés au Centre de Primatologie de Strasbourg (CdP). De plus, un des premiers cas humains de cysticercose due à T. martis a été décrit dans la région de Strasbourg. Ces données suggèrent l'émergence d'un nouveau foyer parasitaire dans l'environnement direct du CdP. Le but de notre étude était d'évaluer la prévalence des cestodoses larvaires chez les hôtes intermédiaires et définitifs de ces parasites dans le proche voisinage du CdP. Nous avons analysé des échantillons de selles de mammifères carnivores, ainsi que des carcasses de rongeurs, collectés à l'intérieur ou aux alentours du CdP. De plus, nous avons réalisé des sérologies pour Echinococcus spp. et Taenia spp. sur des sérums de PNH. Résultats : Nous avons trouvé que 14,5 % (IC95 % [8,6 ; 20,4]) des 138 selles de carnivores étaient positives pour E. multilocularis, ainsi que 25 % (IC95 % [5,5 ; 57,2]) des 12 carcasses de rongeur, et 5,1 % (IC95 % [1,4 ; 8,7]) pour T. martis ou T. crassiceps. De tous les PNH testés, 10,1 % (IC95 % [3,8 ; 16,4]) étaient positifs pour Echinococcus spp. et 8,2 % (IC95 % [1,3 ; 15,1]) pour Taenia spp. Conclusions : Nos données suggèrent l'existence de cycles zoonotiques de cestodoses larvaires dans l'environnement direct du centre de primatologie, affectant les PNH This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. OPEN ACCESS RESEARCH ARTICLE hébergés au CdP et menaçant potentiellement les populations humaines vivant dans cette zone. Ce risque zoonotique étant porté par la faune sauvage locale, et comptes tenus de la sévérité de ces infections, il semble nécessaire de mettre en place des mesures afin de protéger les PNH captifs, et de plus larges études afin d'évaluer le risque pour les populations humaines environnantes