Simian Foamy Virus Transmission to Humans
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexAll
Age5-90
SponsorInstitut Pasteur
About this trial
About three quarters of the viral agents that have emerged recently in humans are considered to originate from other animals. These viruses have often evolved and spread into the human population through various mechanisms after the initial contact that resulted in interspecies transmission. However, knowledge of the initial stages of the emergence of viruses and associated diseases is still limited in many cases. Microbiological monitoring in populations at risk of transmission would provide insights into the initiation and early stages of the emergence process.
Nonhuman primates (NHPs) share many genetic, physiological, and microbiological features with humans, and are potential sources of many infectious agents. This has been demonstrated for several simian retroviruses. HIV-1 and 2 are believed to have originated from chimpanzee and mangabey viruses, respectively, found in Central and West Africa. The current distribution of the various molecular subtypes of the HTLV-1 oncogenic retrovirus in Africa is mainly the result of numerous instances of interspecies transmission of STLV-1from NHP species in the distant past.
Foamy viruses belong to the Retrovidae family and the Spumavirus genus. They are complex exogenous retroviruses and are very common in many animal species, including primates, cats, cattle, and horses, in which they cause persistent infections.
The first aim of the work is to study the epidemiological and molecular aspects of the transmission of foamy viruses from monkeys to humans in populations at risk, such as the inhabitants (especially hunters) in the villages of the dense forests of southern Cameroon. It is an area in which NHPs are still very common, with a great diversity of species. The investigators have already shown that the prevalence of foamy viruses is very high in these monkeys and great apes (gorillas and chimpanzees). Contact between these monkeys and the villagers is very frequent, mainly during hunting. The second aim of the project is to study the clinical and biological features of infected people and investigate intrafamilial transmission from infected index cases.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Living in a rural zone of Cameroon
Being > 5 yrs old
Having received study information and having provided written consent for self and children, if applicable (for all phases)
Disqualifiers
Having refused to provide consent
Being less than 5 years old
Trial population
The survey has been and will be carried out in villages in southern Cameroon and the target population will change during the four phases of the study as follows: 1. Initially, all adults encountered (Phase 1). 2. In the second phase, people who have been in physical contact with monkeys (bites, scratches, wounds, etc.) mainly during hunting and the cleaning of bushmeat 3. Finally, after screening: focus on infected individuals and inclusion of their immediate family (mainly spouses and children) to study potential intrafamilial transmission (Phase 3). 4. For infected individuals, an annual clinical, biological and immunological examination, for 3 years (Phase 4). An uninfected person matched for age, sex, ethnic group, and locality will be recruited as a control for each case.
Trial design
Design model
Cohort
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Treatments tested in this trial
Simian foamy virus Infection
Diagnostic testPlasma samples are tested for the presence of antibodies directed against foamy viruses by western blotting (WB). The BHK-21 cell line infected with a chimpanzee foamy virus is used as a source of viral antigen. Samples are considered to be positive if there is net reactivity against the GAG doublet (70 to 74 kD). High molecular weight DNA will be extracted, from either buffy coats, cell cultures, or both, for molecular biology studies. The presence and quality of the DNA will be verified by amplification of a fragment of the beta-globin gene. Two regions of foamy virus genomic DNA will be amplified by nested PCR, using generic amplimers, giving rise to fragments of the integrase gene (425 bp) and LTR (109 bp).
Treatment groups
1,600 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Controls1 intervention
Group B: Simian Foamy virus infection1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Infection with simian foamy virus by determination of the presence of specific antibodies in plasma
Determination of the presence of specific antibodies in plasma through a positive western blot for foamy virus
Time frame
3 years2
Infection with simian foamy virus by determination of the presence viral DNA in blood cells
Determination of the presence viral DNA in blood cells through a positive PCR assay using generic amplimers, giving rise to fragments of the integrase gene (425 bp) and LTR (109 bp).
Time frame
3 yearsSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov