Absence of Coronavirus RNA in Faecal Samples from Wild Primates in Gabon, Central Africa

Autor: Illich Manfred Mombo, Océane Rieu, Matthieu Fritz, Larson Boundenga, Telstar Ndong Mebaley, Clark Mbou-Boutambe, Léadisaelle Hosanna Lenguiya, Gael Darren Maganga, Virginie Rougeron, Franck Prugnolle, Fredéric Thomas, Eric M. Leroy
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
Zdroj: Pathogens, Vol 12, Iss 10, p 1272 (2023)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2076-0817
37542729
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12101272
Popis: Coronaviruses (CoVs, Coronaviridae) are a diverse group of viruses that infect mammals, birds, and fish. Seven CoVs infect humans, among which Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoVs-1 and -2 and Middle East respiratory syndrome CoVs have shown how they can impact global health and the economy. Their spillover from bats-the natural reservoir-to humans has required intermediary hosts. Prevention requires that active surveillance be conducted on animals. Today, there is no data concerning the genetic diversity of CoVs naturally circulating in wild primates. This study aimed to screen wild great apes and mandrills in Gabon for CoVs. A total of 229 faecal samples of great apes and mandrills collected from 2009 to 2012 in forests and national parks were used for the detection of CoVs by nested PCR using primers targeting a conserved region of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. While all samples were negative, this lack of detection could be related to sample size, the transient nature of the infection, or because faecal samples are not suitable for detecting CoVs in primates. A longitudinal study should be performed and other non-invasive methods used to collect respiratory samples to better evaluate the circulation of CoVs in these primates.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals