Primate retroviruses

Primate retroviruses

1. irreversible infection

   • integrate into host genome via reverse transcriptase
   • morphology: membrane envelope (taken from host-cell membrane, lined with gag-encoded matrix protein), viron core (round/triangular, gag-encoded capsid proteins, 2xRNA, polycoded enzymes), envelope protein (transmembrane, surface receptors, determines virus tropism, responsible for cytopathic effect)

2. retroviruses

   • SIV: lentivirus, morphologically indistinguishable from HIV, HIV-1 closest to chimp SIV, HIV-2 closest to sooty mangabee SIV, serologically similar protiens
   • Simian Leukaemia-T viruses: complex, transmission (sexual contact, blood-blood, breast feeding), damage (T-cell leukaemia, lymphoma), asymptomatic for long time, treatment (vaccine, azacytidine)
   • SRV: simple, transmission (body secretions, physical contact), signs (hyperplasia, fever, weight loss, swollen lymphs and spleen, immunodeficiency), treatment (removed infected, vaccine)
   • Simian foamy virus: no detectable pathenogenesis, hosts (primates, cats, cattle, horses, sheep)

3. zoonoses

   • causes: changes in behaviour, increased human mobility, climate change, demographic change, fewer studies in infectious disease and control, viruses adapt rapidly
   • high risk pops: ape and monkey hunters in central africa (increased bushmeat demand)