Optimization of a novel non-invasive oral sampling technique for zoonotic pathogen surveillance in nonhuman primates

Tierra Smiley Evans, Peter A. Barry, Kirsten V. Gilardi, Tracey Goldstein, Jesse D. Deere, Joseph Fike, Jo Ann Yee, Benard J. Ssebide, Dibesh Karmacharya, Michael R. Cranfield, David Wolking, Brett Smith, Jonna A.K. Mazet, Christine K. Johnson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Free-ranging nonhuman primates are frequent sources of zoonotic pathogens due to their physiologic similarity and in many tropical regions, close contact with humans. Many highrisk disease transmission interfaces have not been monitored for zoonotic pathogens due to difficulties inherent to invasive sampling of free-ranging wildlife. Non-invasive surveillance of nonhuman primates for pathogens with high potential for spillover into humans is therefore critical for understanding disease ecology of existing zoonotic pathogen burdens and identifying communities where zoonotic diseases are likely to emerge in the future. We developed a non-invasive oral sampling technique using ropes distributed to nonhuman primates to target viruses shed in the oral cavity, which through bite wounds and discarded food, could be transmitted to people. Optimization was performed by testing paired rope and oral swabs from laboratory colony rhesus macaques for rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) and simian foamy virus (SFV) and implementing the technique with free-ranging terrestrial and arboreal nonhuman primate species in Uganda and Nepal. Both ubiquitous DNA and RNA viruses, RhCMV and SFV, were detected in oral samples collected from ropes distributed to laboratory colony macaques and SFV was detected in free-ranging macaques and olive baboons. Our study describes a technique that can be used for disease surveillance in free-ranging nonhuman primates and, potentially, other wildlife species when invasive sampling techniques may not be feasible.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere0003813
JournalPLoS neglected tropical diseases
Volume9
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 5 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Infectious Diseases

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