Molecular detection of Yaba monkey tumour virus from a vervet monkey

Authors

  • Helene Brettschneider National Zoological Gardens of South Africa
  • Johan H Voster Vetdiagnostix
  • Emily P Lane National Zoological Gardens of South Africa
  • Erna van Wilpe University of Pretoria
  • Peter Biden Scottburgh Veterinary Clinic
  • Desire L Dalton National Zoological Gardens of South Africa
  • Antoinette Kotze National Zoological Gardens of South Africa

Abstract

Yaba monkey tumour virus (YMTV) was first diagnosed in a colony of captive rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) in Yaba, Nigeria. It has been implicated as the cause of cutaneous nodules in wild baboons (Papio species), rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). This article reports a case of cutaneous pox lesions caused by YMTV in a free-ranging adult female vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) from the Umkomaas coastal area in South Africa. The virus was identified by molecular sequencing from fragments of the insulin metalloprotease-like protein and intracellular mature virion membrane protein as well as the DNA polymerase genes. Phylogenetic analyses of these gene regions revealed a 99% similarity of the sample to YMTV. Although human disease caused by YMTV is normally mild, it is recommended that persons in contact with non-human primates in the area of Umkomaas who develop cutaneous lesions should inform their doctors of the possibility of this infection. The extent and significance of the virus to human and non-human primates in South Africa are not known. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first diagnosis of YMTV in South Africa and in vervet monkeys.

Author Biographies

  • Helene Brettschneider, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa

    Research and Scientific Services, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, South Africa

  • Johan H Voster, Vetdiagnostix

    Vetdiagnostix, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

  • Emily P Lane, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa

    Research and Scientific Services, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa,
    South Africa

  • Erna van Wilpe, University of Pretoria

    Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa

  • Peter Biden, Scottburgh Veterinary Clinic

    Scottburgh Veterinary Clinic, Scottburgh, South Africa

  • Desire L Dalton, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa

    Research and Scientific Services, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, South Africa and Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, South Africa

  • Antoinette Kotze, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa

    Research and Scientific Services, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, South Africa and Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, South Africa

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Published

2021-12-06

Issue

Section

Original Research