Adenoviruses transferred from monkeys to humans

Adenovirus jumped from monkey to human

07/15/2011

Researchers have discovered an adenovirus that can skip without mutation from the monkey to humans. The US medical staff at the University of California, San Francisco report in the online journal „PLoS pathogens“, from a wave of infection in a US primate center where adenoviruses have been shown to have jumped from an animal to a human for the first time.

Two years ago, according to the researchers, the US Primate Center was „California National Primate Research Centereine“ a group of jumping monkeys (Callicebus cupreus) suffer from respiratory and hepatitis due to adenovirus infection. An employee of the Primate Center, who cared for the animals and therefore had very close contact with them, also infected himself with the viruses and transferred them according to the US scientists at home on a member of his family. The subsequent investigation showed that the new adenoviruses are apparently already widespread among humans. The scientists discovered in two of the 81 blood donations of US citizens antibodies against the previously unknown Andeanoviruses.

Adenoviruses change species for the first time without mutation
Adenoviruses are also relatively widespread in humans as so-called human adenoviruses. They often cause severe respiratory problems and can cause a variety of other medical conditions, such as inflammation of the bladder (cystitis), rhinitis or pharyngitis. Also, vomiting diarrhea (gastroenteritis) with abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting may be a possible consequence of adenovirus infection. However, all previously known adenoviruses were always restricted to one genus, never before have adenoviruses been shown to jump from one species to another. But in 2009, a group of Red-cheeked Monkeys got infected with a novel adenovirus in the US Primate Center. 23 of the 65 animals fell ill and suffered from severe liver and airway inflammation. Only four of the infected monkeys survived, the US researchers report. When caring for the animals, a staff member of the Primate Center had been infected with the previously unknown adenovirus TMAdV (titi monkey adenovirus) and infected a member of his family at home, according to the experts. The physicians could detect appropriate antibodies in the blood of those affected. In addition, corresponding antibodies were detected in two out of 81 blood donations.

Novel adenovirus already common in humans?
According to the researchers, the evidence of corresponding antibodies to the hitherto unknown adenovirus in the blood samples of US citizens suggests that TMAdV may already be circulating among humans, but was not noticed because of the rather nonspecific symptoms. However, the US doctors have not been able to explain where the origin of the new adenovirus. The experts at the University of California in San Francisco suspect that the adenoviruses of the tribe TMAdV have their main reservoir in a species other than the red jumper monkeys, as they would have responded too sensitive to the virus. Since more than 80 percent of infected animals died, the virus would escape its own livelihood and therefore with the Redspring monkeys as a host does not last long, the experts said. However, scientists also consider an origin in humans unlikely. (Fp)

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Picture credits: Holger Gräbner