Detection and molecular characterization of foamy viruses in Central African chimpanzees of the Pan troglodytes troglodytes and Pan troglodytes vellerosus subspecies

摘要

Background Foamy viruses are exogenous retroviruses that are highly endemic in non-human primates (NHPs). Recent studies, mainly performed in North America, indicated frequent simian foamy virus (SFV) infection in persons occupationally exposed to NHPs. This zoonotic infection was demonstrated mainly after bites by chimpanzees [Pan troglodytes (P. t.)] of the West African P. t. verus subspecies in primatology centers or zoos in the USA.