Viral infections of the captive Kenya baboon (Papio cynocephalus): a five-year epidemiologic study of an outdoor colony

Abstract

Rectal swabs, throat swabs, fecal samples, tissues, and sera were collected from 334 adult and infant Kenya baboons (Papio cynocephalus) in captivity at this institution over a 5-year period. A total of 4,893 specimens were collected, resulting in the isolation of 582 viral isolates (11.9%). The month of November yielded the lowest isolation rate, while the month of January produced the highest rate. The most commonly isolated viruses in adults and infants were SV6 and SV23, followed by N125, SV15, and SV17 in that order in adults, and SA7, N125, SV15, V340, and SV17 in that order in infants. Nine serotypes, namely enteroviruses SV19, SV42, SA5, A13, and N203, as well as adenoviruses SV15, SV20, SV31, and SV37, were isolated only from adults. Two adenovirus serotypes, SA7 and V340, were recovered predominantly from infants.