POXVIRUS IN WEST-AFRICAN NONHUMAN-PRIMATES - SEROLOGICAL SURVEY RESULTS

Abstract

Ten species of nonhuman primates [Cercopithecus aethiops, C. mona, C. petaurista, C. diana, C. nictitans, Erythrocebus patas, Papio anubis, Colobus balius, C. verus and C. polykomos] in West African habitat were analyzed for variola-vaccinia subgroup hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) and neutralization antibodies. The animals were taken in 27 different sampling zones in parts of the Ivory Coast, Mali and Upper Volta. Of the 195 tested, 15 (8%) had elevated HI antibodies after nonspecific reactions were reduced with potassium periodate pretreatment. Positive neutralization antibodies were found in 21% (44 of 206). Antibodies were detected in serum from monkeys living near 2 areas where monkeypox cases in humans occurred. Four samples were tested for monkeypox specific antibodies using an indirect immunofluorescent test; 3 were positive. Despite the prevalence of antibodies in monkeys (and other animals) in West Africa, smallpox eradication has been maintained in the area since 1970; thus, animal reservoirs of poxvirus appear to pose no threat to the worldwide smallpox eradication program.