Simian parvoviruses: biology and implications for research

Abstract

The simian parvoviruses (SPVs) are in the genus Erythrovirus in the family Parvoviridae and are most closely related to the human virus B19. SPV has been identified in cynomolgus, rhesus, and pigtailed macaques. All of the primate erythroviruses have a predilection for erythroid precursors. Infection, which is common in macaques, is usually clinically silent. Disease from SPV is associated with immunosuppression due to infection with various retroviruses (SIV, simian retrovirus, and simian-human immunodeficiency virus), surgery, drug toxicity studies, and posttransplantation immunosuppressive treatment and therefore is of concern in studies that use parvovirus-positive macaques.

Figure 1.

Photomicrograph of bone marrow from an SIV-infected rhesus macaque. Arrows indicate intranuclear parvoviral inclusions in erythroid precursors (hematoxylin and eosin stain; bar, 50 μm).