Simian immunodeficiency virus of chimpanzees (SlVcpz) in now recognized as the immediate precursor to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), yet remarkably, its prevalence, genetic diversity, natural history of infection and transmission patterns in wild chimpanzee populations is virtually unknown. Studies of natural SIVcpz infections are complicated by the species' highly endangered status and by its geographic location in remote areas of sub-Saharan Africa. We have performed exploratory studies aimed at detecting and characterizing SIVcpz infection in wild-living chimpanzees by non-invasive means. These studies have been successful not only in identifying SIVcpz infection in wild apes (Santiago et al., Science, 2002), but also in validating the non-invasive, urine and fecal based methods for SIVcpz antibody and nucleic acid detection (Santiago et aL, J Virol, 2003; Santiago et aL, J Virol, in press). Thus, we are now positioned to conduct the first systematic molecular epidemiological and natural history survey of SlVcpz in wildliving chimpanzee populations. Based on our preliminary work, we hypothesize that SIVcpz infection will be distributed broadly, but unevenly, among central (P. t. troglodytes) and eastern (P. t. schweinfurthii) chimpanzee communities, and that we will identify west-central African SIVcpz lineages proximate to the current M, N and O groups of HIV-1. To test this hypothesis, we will 1. determine the prevalence and genetic diversity of SIVcpz in wild chimpanzees communities throughout equatorial Africa; 2. molecularly characterize major SIVcpz lineages infecting wild chimpanzee populations; 3. study the natural history of SIVcpz infection in wild chimpanzees; 4. determine whether chimpanzees acquire additional SIV infections through hunting and predation of smaller monkeys; To accomplish this, we have assembled an exceptional group of world-renowned primatologists, conservationists, evolutionary biologists and biomedical scientists. Results from these studies will not only provide essential evidence corroborating the P. t. troglodytes origin of HIV-1, but will address other important questions concerning the natural history and biology of this medically important group of viruses.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI058715-05
Application #
7408558
Study Section
AIDS Molecular and Cellular Biology Study Section (AMCB)
Program Officer
Young, Janet M
Project Start
2004-04-01
Project End
2009-07-13
Budget Start
2008-04-01
Budget End
2009-07-13
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$560,642
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Alabama Birmingham
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
063690705
City
Birmingham
State
AL
Country
United States
Zip Code
35294
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Loy, Dorothy E; Rubel, Meagan A; Avitto, Alexa N et al. (2018) Investigating zoonotic infection barriers to ape Plasmodium parasites using faecal DNA analysis. Int J Parasitol 48:531-542
Terio, Karen A; Lonsdorf, Elizabeth V; Kinsel, Michael J et al. (2018) Oesophagostomiasis in non-human primates of Gombe National Park, Tanzania. Am J Primatol 80:
Barbian, Hannah J; Li, Yingying; Ramirez, Miguel et al. (2018) Destabilization of the gut microbiome marks the end-stage of simian immunodeficiency virus infection in wild chimpanzees. Am J Primatol 80:
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Liu, Weimin; Sherrill-Mix, Scott; Learn, Gerald H et al. (2017) Wild bonobos host geographically restricted malaria parasites including a putative new Laverania species. Nat Commun 8:1635
Stanton, Margaret A; Lonsdorf, Elizabeth V; Pusey, Anne E et al. (2017) Do juveniles help or hinder? Influence of juvenile offspring on maternal behavior and reproductive outcomes in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). J Hum Evol 111:152-162
Loy, Dorothy E; Liu, Weimin; Li, Yingying et al. (2017) Out of Africa: origins and evolution of the human malaria parasites Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. Int J Parasitol 47:87-97
Weiss, Alexander; Wilson, Michael L; Collins, D Anthony et al. (2017) Personality in the chimpanzees of Gombe National Park. Sci Data 4:170146
Gilby, Ian C; Machanda, Zarin P; O'Malley, Robert C et al. (2017) Predation by female chimpanzees: Toward an understanding of sex differences in meat acquisition in the last common ancestor of Pan and Homo. J Hum Evol 110:82-94

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