Novel multiplexed HIV/simian immunodeficiency virus antibody detection assay

Abstract

Like most emerging infectious disease viruses, HIV is also of zoonotic origin. To assess the risk for cross-species transmission of simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) from nonhuman primates to humans in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we collected 330 samples derived from nonhuman primate bushmeat at 3 remote forest sites. SIV prevalences were estimated by using a novel high-throughput assay that included 34 HIV and SIV antigens in a single well. Overall, 19% of nonhuman primate bushmeat was infected with SIVs, and new SIV lineages were identified. Highest SIV prevalences were seen in red-tailed guenons (25%) and Tshuapa red colobus monkeys (24%), representing the most common hunted primate species, thus increasing the likelihood for cross-species transmission. Additional studies are needed to determine whether other SIVs crossed the species barrier. With the newly developed assay, large-scale screening against many antigens is now easier and faster.

Figure 1

Sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo where dried blood spots of nonhuman primates were collected (red circles).

Figure 2

Phylogenetic relationships of the newly derived simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) sequences in pol to representatives of the other SIV lineages. Newly identified strains in this study are in red and reference strains are in black. Unrooted trees were inferred from 350-bp nucleotides. Analyses were performed by using discrete gamma distribution and a generalized time reversible model. The starting tree was obtained by using phyML (27). One hundred bootstrap replications were performed to assess confidence in topology. Numbers at nodes are from 100 bootstrap replicates; only those >90% are shown with an asterisk. Scale bar represents nucleotide replacements per site.