Horizontal transmission of endemic viruses among rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta): Implications for human cytomegalovirus vaccine/challenge design.

Introduction: Rhesus macaques are natural hosts to multiple viruses including rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV), rhesus rhadinovirus (RRV), and Simian Foamy Virus (SFV). While viral infections are ubiquitous, viral transmissions to uninfected animals are incompletely defined. Management procedures of macaque colonies include cohorts that are Specific Pathogen Free (SPF).

Analysis of rhesus rhadinovirus microRNAs expressed in virus-induced tumors from infected rhesus macaques.

Rhesus rhadinovirus (RRV), a primate gamma-herpesvirus related to human Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), causes a similar pattern of pathogenesis. Previously, RRV was shown to express 7 pre-microRNAs (pre-miRNAs) in latently infected cells. Using deep sequencing, we analyzed the pattern of small RNA expression in vivo using latently RRV-infected B-cell lymphoma and retroperitoneal fibromatosis tissues.

Duration of antiviral immunity after smallpox vaccination.

Although naturally occurring smallpox was eliminated through the efforts of the World Health Organization Global Eradication Program, it remains possible that smallpox could be intentionally released. Here we examine the magnitude and duration of antiviral immunity induced by one or more smallpox vaccinations. We found that more than 90% of volunteers vaccinated 25-75 years ago still maintain substantial humoral or cellular immunity (or both) against vaccinia, the virus used to vaccinate against smallpox.

Complete sequence and genomic analysis of rhesus cytomegalovirus.

The complete DNA sequence of rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) strain 68-1 was determined with the whole-genome shotgun approach on virion DNA. The RhCMV genome is 221,459 bp in length and possesses a 49% G+C base composition. The genome contains 230 potential open reading frames (ORFs) of 100 or more codons that are arranged colinearly with counterparts of previously sequenced betaherpesviruses such as human cytomegalovirus (HCMV).