Novel Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus homolog in baboons

J Virol. 2003 Jul;77(14):8159-65. doi: 10.1128/jvi.77.14.8159-8165.2003.

Abstract

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and lymphoproliferative diseases induced by KS-associated herpesvirus (KSHV/human herpesvirus 8) cause substantial morbidity and mortality in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals. To understand KSHV biology it is useful to investigate closely related rhadinoviruses naturally occurring in nonhuman primates. Here we report evidence for a novel KSHV homolog in captive baboon species (Papio anubis and other). Using degenerate PCR we identified a novel rhadinovirus, PapRV2, that has substantial sequence identity to two essential KSHV genes, the viral polymerase and thymidylate synthase. A subset of animals exhibited detectable PapRV2 viral load in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Extensive serological analysis of nearly 200 animals in the colony demonstrated that the majority carried cross-reacting antibodies that recognize KSHV or macaque rhadinovirus antigens. Seroreactivity increased with age, similar to the age-specific prevalence of KSHV in the human population. This establishes baboons as a novel resource to investigate rhadinovirus biology, which can be developed into an animal model system for KSHV-associated human diseases, vaccine development, and therapy evaluation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / genetics
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary*
  • Herpesviridae Infections / virology
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Monkey Diseases / virology*
  • Papio / virology*
  • Rhadinovirus / genetics
  • Rhadinovirus / isolation & purification*
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / virology*
  • Sequence Homology
  • Thymidylate Synthase / genetics
  • Tumor Virus Infections / veterinary
  • Tumor Virus Infections / virology
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • Thymidylate Synthase
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AY270026
  • GENBANK/AY270027