Blood meal analysis of Anopheles vectors of simian malaria based on laboratory and field studies.

Blood feeding and host-seeking behaviors of a mosquito play an imperative role in determining its vectorial capacity in transmitting pathogens. Unfortunately, limited information is available regarding blood feeding behavior of Anopheles species in Malaysia. Collection of resting Anopheles mosquitoes for blood meal analysis poses a great challenge especially for forest dwelling mosquitoes. Therefore, a laboratory-based study was conducted to evaluate the potential use of mosquitoes caught using human landing catch (HLC) for blood meal analysis, and subsequently to document blood feeding behavior of local Anopheles mosquitoes in Peninsular Malaysia. The laboratory-based experiment from this study revealed that mosquitoes caught using HLC had the potential to be used for blood meal analysis. Besides HLC, mosquitoes were also collected using manual aspirator and Mosquito Magnet. Overall, 47.4% of 321 field-caught Anopheles mosquitoes belonging to six species were positive for vertebrate host DNA in their blood meal. The most frequent blood meal source was human (45.9%) followed by wild boar (27.4%), dog (15.3%) and monkey (7.5%). Interestingly, only Anopheles cracens and Anopheles introlatus (Leucosphyrus Group) fed on monkey. This study further confirmed that members of the Leucosphyrus Group are the predominant vectors for knowlesi malaria transmission in Peninsular Malaysia mainly due to their simio-anthropophagic feeding behavior.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the blood of two colobine monkey species from China: Occurrence and exposure pathways.

Per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), which are widely used in industrial and commercial products, have been identified as global and ubiquitous pollutants. Despite this, limited data are available regarding the impacts of PFAS exposure and intake in non-human primates. Here, we report for the first time on the occurrence of PFASs in the blood and dietary sources of two rare and endangered primate species, namely, the golden snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) and Francois' leaf monkey (Trachypithecus francoisi). Results showed that perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorononanoate (PFNA) were dominant and found at the highest proportions in the blood of both species at the four study sites. The ∑PFAS levels in blood samples from captive golden snub-nosed monkeys in Tongling Zoo (mean: 2.51 ng/mL) and Shanghai Wild Zoo (3.52 ng/mL) near urbanized areas were one order of magnitude higher than the levels in wild monkeys from Shennongjia Nature Reserve (0.27 ng/mL). Furthermore, significant age positive relationships for perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonates (6:2 Cl-PFESA) were observed in both golden snub-nosed monkeys at Shanghai Wild Zoo and Francois' leaf monkeys at Wuzhou Breeding Center. In addition, PFAS levels in frequently consumed food and drinking water were analyzed for Francois' leaf monkeys. Results showed that tree leaves accounted for the highest percentage of total daily intake of PFASs, especially PFOA, thus highlighting tree leaf consumption as a primary PFAS exposure route for this species. Overall, however, dietary exposure to PFASs was of relatively low risk to Francois' leaf monkey health.

The Aotus nancymaae erythrocyte proteome and its importance for biomedical research.

The Aotus nancymaae species has been of great importance in researching the biology and pathogenesis of malaria, particularly for studying Plasmodium molecules for including them in effective vaccines against such microorganism. In spite of the forgoing, there has been no report to date describing the biology of parasite target cells in primates or their biomedical importance. This study was thus designed to analyse A. nancymaae erythrocyte protein composition using MS data collected during a previous study aimed at characterising the Plasmodium vivax proteome and published in the pertinent literature. Most peptides identified were similar to those belonging to 1189 Homo sapiens molecules; >95% of them had orthologues in New World primates. GO terms revealed a correlation between categories having the greatest amount of proteins and vital cell function. Integral membrane molecules were also identified which could be possible receptors facilitating interaction with Plasmodium species. The A. nancymaae erythrocyte proteome is described here for the first time, as a starting point for more in-depth/extensive studies. The data reported represents a source of invaluable information for laboratories interested in carrying out basic and applied biomedical investigation studies which involve using this primate. SIGNIFICANCE: An understanding of the proteomics characteristics of A. nancymaae erythrocytes represents a fascinating area for research regarding the study of the pathogenesis of malaria since these are the main target for Plasmodium invasion. However, and even though Aotus is one of the non-human primate models considered most appropriate for biomedical research, knowledge of its proteome, particularly its erythrocytes, remains unknown. According to the above and bearing in mind the lack of information about the A. nancymaae species genome and transcriptome, this study involved a search for primate proteins for comparing their MS/MS spectra with the available information for Homo sapiens. The great similarity found between the primate's molecules and those for humans supported the use of the monkeys or their cells for continuing assays involved in studying malaria. Integral membrane receptors used by Plasmodium for invading cells were also found; this required timely characterisation for evaluating their therapeutic role. The list of erythrocyte protein composition reported here represents a useful source of basic knowledge for advancing biomedical investigation in this field.

Quantitative analysis of factor P (Properdin) in monkey serum using immunoaffinity capturing in combination with LC-MS/MS.

AIM: Factor P (Properdin), an endogenous glycoprotein, plays a key role in innate immune defense. Its quantification is important for understanding the pharmacodynamics (PD) of drug candidate(s). RESULTS: In the present work, an immunoaffinity capturing LC-MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the first time for the quantification of factor P in monkey serum with a dynamic range of 125 to 25,000 ng/ml using the calibration standards and QCs prepared in factor P depleted monkey serum. The intra- and inter-run precision was ≤7.2% (CV) and accuracy within ±16.8% (%Bias) across all QC levels evaluated. Results of other evaluations (e.g., stability) all met the acceptance criteria. CONCLUSION: The validated method was robust and implemented in support of a preclinical PK/PD study.

Quantitative bioanalysis of antibody-conjugated payload in monkey plasma using a hybrid immuno-capture LC-MS/MS approach: Assay development, validation, and a case study.

Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) are complex molecules composed of two pharmacologically distinct components, the cytotoxic payload and the antibody. The measurement of the payload molecules that are attached to the antibody in vivo is important for the evaluation of the safety and efficacy of ADCs, and can also provide distinct information compared to the antibody-related analytes. However, analyzing the antibody-conjugated payload is challenging and in some cases may not be feasible. The in vivo change in drug antibody ratio (DAR), due to deconjugation, biotransformation or other clearance phenomena, generates unique and additional challenges for ADC analysis in biological samples. Here, we report a novel hybrid approach with immuno-capture of the ADC, payload cleavage by specific enzyme, and LC-MS/MS of the cleaved payload to quantitatively measure the concentration of payload molecules still attached to the antibody via linker in plasma. The ADC reference material used for the calibration curve is not likely to be identical to the ADC measured in study samples due to the change in DAR distribution over the PK time course. The assay clearly demonstrated that there was no bias in the measurement of antibody-conjugated payload for ADC with varying DAR, which thus allowed accurate quantification even when the DAR distribution dynamically changes in vivo. This hybrid assay was fully validated based on a combination of requirements for both chromatographic and ligand binding methods, and was successfully applied to support a GLP safety study in monkeys.

Simultaneous determination of the novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor meditinib and its active metabolite demethylation meditinib in monkey plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and its application to pharmacokinetic studies.

Meditinib (ME) is a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor used as an antichronic myeloid leukemia drug. A simple, sensitive and specific LC/MS/MS method was developed and validated for the analysis of ME and its metabolite demethylation meditinib (PI) in monkey plasma using naltrexone as the internal standard. Sample preparation involved protein precipitation with methanol. The analysis was carried out on an Agilent C8 column (3.5 µm, 2.1 × 50 mm). Elution was achieved with a mobile phase gradient varying the proportion of a water solution containing 0.1% formic acid (solvent A) and a 0.1% formic acid in methanol solution (solvent B) at a flow rate of 300 µL/min. The method had a linear calibration curve over the concentration range of 2-1000 ng/mL for ME and 2-1000 ng/mL for PI. The lower limits of quantification of ME and PI were 2 and 2 ng/mL, respectively. The intra- and inter-day precision values were <15% and accuracy values were within ±10.0%. The mean recoveries of ME and PI from plasma were >85%. The assay has been successfully used for pharmacokinetic evaluation of ME and PI using the monkey as an animal model, and those data are reported for the first time.

Antibody responses to a novel Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein vaccine correlate with protection against experimental malaria infection in Aotus monkeys.

The Block 2 region of the merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1) of Plasmodium falciparum has been identified as a target of protective immunity by a combination of seroepidemiology and parasite population genetics. Immunogenicity studies in small animals and Aotus monkeys were used to determine the efficacy of recombinant antigens derived from this region of MSP-1 as a potential vaccine antigen. Aotus lemurinus griseimembra monkeys were immunized three times with a recombinant antigen derived from the Block 2 region of MSP-1 of the monkey-adapted challenge strain, FVO of Plasmodium falciparum, using an adjuvant suitable for use in humans. Immunofluorescent antibody assays (IFA) against erythrocytes infected with P. falciparum using sera from the immunized monkeys showed that the MSP-1 Block 2 antigen induced significant antibody responses to whole malaria parasites. MSP-1 Block 2 antigen-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) showed no significant differences in antibody titers between immunized animals. Immunized animals were challenged with the virulent P. falciparum FVO isolate and monitored for 21 days. Two out of four immunized animals were able to control their parasitaemia during the follow-up period, whereas two out of two controls developed fulminating parasitemia. Parasite-specific serum antibody titers measured by IFA were four-fold higher in protected animals than in unprotected animals. In addition, peptide-based epitope mapping of serum antibodies from immunized Aotus showed distinct differences in epitope specificities between protected and unprotected animals.

Addressing safety liabilities of TfR bispecific antibodies that cross the blood-brain barrier.

Bispecific antibodies using the transferrin receptor (TfR) have shown promise for boosting antibody uptake in brain. Nevertheless, there are limited data on the therapeutic properties including safety liabilities that will enable successful development of TfR-based therapeutics. We evaluate TfR/BACE1 bispecific antibody variants in mouse and show that reducing TfR binding affinity improves not only brain uptake but also peripheral exposure and the safety profile of these antibodies. We identify and seek to address liabilities of targeting TfR with antibodies, namely, acute clinical signs and decreased circulating reticulocytes observed after dosing. By eliminating Fc effector function, we ameliorated the acute clinical signs and partially rescued a reduction in reticulocytes. Furthermore, we show that complement mediates a residual decrease in reticulocytes observed after Fc effector function is eliminated. These data raise important safety concerns and potential mitigation strategies for the development of TfR-based therapies that are designed to cross the blood-brain barrier.

Implementing DBS methodology for the determination of Compound A in monkey blood: GLP method validation and investigation of the impact of blood spreading on performance.

BACKGROUND: This article describes validation work for analysis of an Abbott investigational drug (Compound A) in monkey whole blood with dried blood spots (DBS). The impact of DBS spotting volume on analyte concentration was investigated. RESULTS: The quantitation range was between 30.5 and 10,200 ng/ml. Accuracy and precision of quality controls, linearity of calibration curves, matrix effect, selectivity, dilution, recovery and multiple stabilities were evaluated in the validation, and all demonstrated acceptable results. Incurred sample reanalysis was performed with 57 out of 58 samples having a percentage difference (versus the mean value) less than 20%. A linear relationship between the spotting volume and the spot area was drawn. The influence of spotting volume on concentration was discussed. CONCLUSION: All validation results met good laboratory practice acceptance requirements. Radial spreading of blood on DBS cards can be a factor in DBS concentrations at smaller spotting volumes.

Quantitation of a recombinant monoclonal antibody in monkey serum by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A method including protein A purification, limited Lys-C digestion, and mass spectrometry analysis was used in the study to quantify a recombinant monoclonal antibody in cynomolgus monkey serum. The same antibody that was isotopically labeled was used as an internal standard. Interferences from serum proteins were first significantly reduced by protein A purification and then by limited Lys-C digestion of protein A bound IgG, including both monkey and the recombinant IgG. Fab fragment of the recombinant human IgG was analyzed directly by LC-MS, while monkey IgG and the Fc fragment of the recombinant human IgG remained bound to protein A resin. Quantitation was achieved by measuring the peak intensity of the Fab from the recombinant human IgG and comparing it to that of the Fab from the stable isotope-labeled internal standard. The results were in good agreement with the values from ELISA. LC-MS can therefore be used as a complementary approach to ELISA to quantify recombinant monoclonal antibodies in serum for pharmacokinetics studies and it can also be used where specific reagents such as antigens are not readily available for ELISA.

A simple and reliable method to blood type monkeys using serum samples.

Monkeys are frequently used in experimental transplantation research because of their physical traits and availability. As ABO incompatibility may result in humoral injury, it is important to identify the ABO blood typing of monkeys before transplantation. However, monkeys lack expression of ABH antigens on red blood cells, which makes accurate determination of the blood type difficult. The gel agglutination assay has been widely used as a routine blood grouping test clinically for more than 10 years. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and the interference factors of using the gel system (including the direct gel system and the reverse gel system) for ABO typing in rhesus monkeys (n = 38) and cynomolgus monkeys (n = 26). Immunohistochemistry assay was used to obtain the accurate blood type data of monkeys. The results revealed that the direct gel system was ineffective in blood typing of monkeys, whereas the reverse gel system assay, which is based on preabsorbed serum, provided reproducible results that were confirmed by histologic analysis. We conclude that the reverse gel system assay with use of preabsorbed serum is a simple and reliable method for ABO typing of monkeys.

Remediation of undesirable secondary interactions encountered in hydrophilic interaction chromatography during development of a quantitative LC-MS/MS assay for a dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitor in monkey serum.

PF-00734200 (3,3-Difluoropyrrolidin-1-yl)-((2S,4S)-4-(4-(pyrimidin-2-yl) piperazin-1-yl)pyrrolidin-2-yl)methanone) is an inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) for the treatment of diabetic complications and other disorders. A sensitive and selective LC-MS/MS assay capable of quantifying PF-00734200 in monkey serum was required to support regulated safety studies. Due to the polar nature of this compound and for ease of sample processing, hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) was identified as an ideal assay technique. During the initial phase of method development significant peak tailing was observed. The effects of polar organic modifier percentage, buffer concentration, column particle size, and flow rate were assessed to determine the final optimal conditions. PF-00734200 demonstrated a strong dependence on buffer concentration with respect to height equivalent to a theoretical plate (HETP), capacity factor (k'), and tailing factor (T). Improvements in chromatography were observed with increasing buffer concentration due to reduction of electrostatic secondary interactions with ionized silanols. A plot of logk' versus percentage organic modifier at an elevated buffer concentration, produced a linear fit with a correlation coefficient of 0.996, indicating that the primary chromatographic retention mechanism was partitioning. A LC-MS/MS assay was successfully developed and validated for GLP bioanalysis of PF-00734200 in monkey serum utilizing the optimized HILIC conditions. Additionally, carryover was effectively minimized through fortification of ethylene glycol to the sample extract.

Enzootic simian piroplasm (Entopolypoides macaci ) in wild-caught Kenyan non-human primates.

BACKGROUND: Three species of non-human primates comprising African green monkeys (AGMs), (Cercopithecus aethiops, n = 89), Syke's monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis, n = 60) and olive baboons (Papio cynocephalus anubis, n = 30), were screened for Entopolypoides macaci. METHODS: Observation of blood smears prepared from these animals revealed E. macaci infection rate of 42.7% in AGMs, 35% in Syke's monkeys and 33.3% in baboons. RESULTS: Gender infection rate was 38.2% in females and 29% in males. Statistically, there was no significant difference in infection rates between the monkey species and sexes (P > 0.05). Subsequent indirect immuno fluorescent antibody test supported the morphological appearance of E. macaci observed by microscopy. Sera from infected animals reacted positively (1:625) with E. macaci antigen, but not to Babesia bigemina or B. bovis antigen at 1:125 titer. CONCLUSION: This study has revealed high prevalence of E. macaci infection in all three widely distributed Kenyan non-human primates. With the continued use of these animals as models for human parasitic diseases, the presence of this highly enzootic parasite should be noted.

Niveles de óxido nítrico en monos Macacus irus inoculados con virus dengue / Serum nitric oxide in Macacus irus monkeys inoculated with dengue virus

Objetivo: partiendo de que los anticuerpos preexistentes en la infección secundaria por dengue suprimen la acción de moléculas con acciones antivirales como el óxido nítrico, se determinó el comportamiento de esa molécula en suero de monos Macacus irus inoculados con virus dengue 2 como infección primaria y en monos con una infección secuencial dengue 4-dengue2. Métodos: los niveles de óxido nítrico referidos como niveles de nitritos fueron detectados mediante la reacción de Griess. Resultados: los niveles máximos de óxido nítrico se detectaron en los animales que sufrieron una infección primaria a partir del séptimo día posinoculación, a diferencia de los monos con infección secundaria en que no se obtuvieron niveles mayores de 100 µM. Conclusiones: al parecer existe una asociación entre la infección secundaria y la inhibición de la producción del óxido nítrico(AU)

Objective: To determine the action of nitric Oxide (NO) in serum samples of dengue 2 inoculated Macacus irus monkeys as primary infection and in dengue 4 -dengue 2 inoculated monkeys as secondary infection, taking into account that preexisting antibodies in secondary dengue infection elicit the action of antiviral molecules such as nitric oxide. Methods: NO levels referred as nitrite levels were detected by Griess colorimetric reaction. Results: The highest nitric oxide levels were detected in those animals with primary infection seven days after inoculation monkeys whereas those monkeys with secondary infection did not show NO levels over 100 µM. Conclusions: Our results suggest that there seems to be a relationship between secondary infection and NO production inhibition(AU)

Niveles de óxido nítrico en monos Macacus irus inoculados con virus dengue / Serum nitric oxide in Macacus irus monkeys inoculated with dengue virus

Objetivo: partiendo de que los anticuerpos preexistentes en la infección secundaria por dengue suprimen la acción de moléculas con acciones antivirales como el óxido nítrico, se determinó el comportamiento de esa molécula en suero de monos Macacus irus inoculados con virus dengue 2 como infección primaria y en monos con una infección secuencial dengue 4-dengue2. Métodos: los niveles de óxido nítrico referidos como niveles de nitritos fueron detectados mediante la reacción de Griess. Resultados: los niveles máximos de óxido nítrico se detectaron en los animales que sufrieron una infección primaria a partir del séptimo día posinoculación, a diferencia de los monos con infección secundaria en que no se obtuvieron niveles mayores de 100 µM. Conclusiones: al parecer existe una asociación entre la infección secundaria y la inhibición de la producción del óxido nítrico.

Objective: To determine the action of nitric Oxide (NO) in serum samples of dengue 2 inoculated Macacus irus monkeys as primary infection and in dengue 4 -dengue 2 inoculated monkeys as secondary infection, taking into account that preexisting antibodies in secondary dengue infection elicit the action of antiviral molecules such as nitric oxide. Methods: NO levels referred as nitrite levels were detected by Griess colorimetric reaction. Results: The highest nitric oxide levels were detected in those animals with primary infection seven days after inoculation monkeys whereas those monkeys with secondary infection did not show NO levels over 100 µM. Conclusions: Our results suggest that there seems to be a relationship between secondary infection and NO production inhibition.

Phylogeography and population structure of the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti) inferred from mitochondrial control region DNA sequence analysis.

Rhinopithecus bieti, the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, is the nonhuman primate with the highest altitudinal distribution and is also one of the 25 most globally endangered primate species. Currently, R. bieti is found in forests between 3000 and 4500 m above sea level, within a narrow area on the Tibetan Plateau between the Yangtze and Mekong rivers, where it is suffering from loss of habitat and shrinking population size (approximately 1500). To assess the genetic diversity within this species, its population structure and to infer its evolutionary history, we sequenced 401 bp of the hypervariable I (HVI) segment from the mitochondrial DNA control region (CR) for 157 individuals from 11 remnant patches throughout the fragmented distribution area. Fifty-two variable sites were observed and 30 haplotypes were defined. Compared with other primate species, R. bieti cannot be regarded as a taxon with low genetic diversity. Phylogenetic analysis partitioned haplotypes into two divergent haplogroups (A and B). Haplotypes from the two mitochondrial clades were found to be mixed in some patches although the distribution of haplotypes displayed local homogeneity, implying a strong population structure within R. bieti. Analysis of molecular variance detected significant differences among the different geographical regions, suggesting that R. bieti should be separated into three management units (MUs) for conservation. Based on our results, it can be hypothesized that the genetic history of R. bieti includes an initial, presumably allopatric divergence between clades A and B 1.0-0.7 million years ago (Ma), which might have been caused by the Late Cenozoic uplift of the Tibetan Plateau, secondary contact after this divergence as a result of a population expansion 0.16-0.05 Ma, and population reduction and habitat fragmentation in the very recent past.

Enantiomer ratio of MK-0767 in humans and nonclinical species.

MK-0767, (+/-)-5-[(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-yl)methyl]-2-methoxy-N-[[(4-trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methyl]benzamide, is a thiazolidinedione-containing dual peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha/gamma agonist that has been studied as a potential treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes. MK-0767 contains a chiral center at the C-5 position of the thiazolidinedione ring and was being developed as the racemate, due to the rapid interconversion of its enantiomers in biological samples. In the present work the in vitro and in vivo concentration ratios of the (+)-(R) to (-)-(S) enantiomers of MK-0767 were determined in plasma from humans (in vitro only) and nonclinical species used in the toxicological evaluation of rac-MK-0767, namely CD-1 mice, Sprague-Dawley rats, beagle dogs, New Zealand white rabbits, and rhesus monkeys. The R/S ratio was determined by chiral liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Species differences were observed in the in vitro and in vivo enantiomeric ratios, as well as differences between in vitro and in vivo in some species. The in vitro R/S ratio was similar in dogs and humans (approximately 1.5-1.7). In rats and monkeys, the ratio was approximately unity, both in vitro and in vivo. In mice, the ratio was higher in vitro (approximately 1) than in vivo (approximately 0.6), while in rabbits it was higher in vivo (approximately 1) than in vitro (approximately 0.5). These results suggested that differential binding of the MK-0767 enantiomers to plasma and tissue proteins and other macromolecules may be affecting the R/S ratio both in vitro and in vivo, since in protein-free systems MK-0767 exists as the racemate.

Humoral immune response in capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) after vaccination with inactivated suckling mouse brain rabies vaccine: comparison of two schedules of immunization

Foram vacinados contra a raiva, dois grupos de macacos-pregos adultos, com a vacina inativada preparada em cérebros de camundongos lactentes, administrada pela via intramuscular, na Fundação Parque Zoológico de São Paulo. Os animais em momento algum haviam sido imunizados contra a raiva. O grupo I consistia de nove animais, que receberam três doses de 1,0 mL nos dias 0, 30 e uma dose de reforço aos 210 dias, e o grupo II continha 10 animais que receberam duas doses de 1,0 mL no dia 0 e uma dose de reforço aos 210 dias. As amostras de sangue foram colhidas aos 0,30°,60°,90°, 150°, 210°, 240°, 300° e 365° dias, e os anticorpos neutralizantes titulados pela técnica simplificada da inibição de focos fluorescentes. A vacina induziu uma resposta imune de curta duração com títulos de anticorpos neutralizantes acima de 0.5 UI/ mL em ambos os grupos; entretanto a resposta imune persistiu por apenas 54,9 mais ou menos 57,0 e 36,1 mais ou menos 60,2 dias nos Grupos I e II respectivamente após a primo vacinação, e, por apenas 62,6 mais ou menos 74,0 e 86,4 mais ou menos 61,5 dias nos Grupos I e II respectivamente após o reforço. Não houve diferença estatística significante entre os grupos estudados (p > 0,05).

Risk to human health from a plethora of simian immunodeficiency viruses in primate bushmeat.

To assess human exposure to Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in west central Africa, we looked for SIV infection in 788 monkeys that were hunted in the rainforests of Cameroon for bushmeat or kept as pets. Serologic reactivity suggesting SIV infection was found in 13 of 16 primate species, including 4 not previously known to harbor SIV. Overall, 131 sera (16.6%) reacted strongly and an additional 34 (4.3%) reacted weakly with HIV antigens. Molecular analysis identified five new phylogenetic SIV lineages. These data document for the first time that a substantial proportion of wild monkeys in Cameroon are SIV infected and that humans who hunt and handle bushmeat are exposed to a plethora of genetically highly divergent viruses.

Man, monkeys and malaria.

Bizarre though it may now seem, in the last century a whole series of experiments was conducted that involved injecting fresh monkey blood into human volunteers or patients. The reasons, valid at the time, were either to treat neurosyphilis with a relatively benign simian malaria infection (so-called pyrogen therapy), or to establish which monkey malaria species were potential zoonotic reservoirs of infection that then may have interfered with malaria eradication campaigns. Although direct inoculation of fresh blood is the most effective way of retroviruses as well as malaria parasites crossing the species barrier, this hypothesis was never taken up or researched. Unlikely, but not disproved, it is important to remember some of the more hazardous experiments that were done in good faith, too long ago to be recorded on electronic databases.