Outline Rationale for the Health Canada sfv study Trends in primate importation/utilization

Outline

• Rationale for the Health Canada SFV Study

• Trends in primate importation/utilization

• Description of Health Canada Animal Resources Division primate colony

• Results of Health Canada Study of Human SFV Infection Among Animal Workers

Background

• Macaque spp. have historically been among the most common NHP’s used in research

• Currently cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) represent the vast majority of imported NHP’s

• Despite frequent occupational exposure there had not been a documented case of human SFV infection originating from macaques

Last 2 years importation of NHP in U.S.A. (1999, N = 12,744; 2000, N = 12,061)

Species of NHP used in Canada (1995 - 1999)

Study Objective

• To screen for human SFV infection of macaque origin using assays optimized for macaque SFV

Health Canada Primate Colony

• 875 Cynomolgus macaques imported from the Philippines 1983-1984

• Currently houses approximately 240 monkeys

• Previously housed up to 1200 monkeys

• Prior to 1983 a mixture of cynomolgus and rhesus macaques

• Herpes B free colony

• 80% seropositive for SFV

Average Monthly NHP Colony Population by Year

Study Design

• Anonymous, un-linked convenience sample of workers having contact with non-human primates or their blood and tissues

• Screened using immunoblot

• Target antigen SFV1, SFV3, SFV6 & SFV-HC infected cell culture lysates

• Confirmation using PCR amplification from PBLs of a 153 bp fragment located within the pol gene

Occupations of Study Participants

Characteristics of Study Participants

• Average age 45 years

• M:F Ratio 56:44

• Average of 13 years of exposure to Cynomolgus macaques

• Average of 10 years of exposure to Rhesus macaques

Person Years of Exposure to NHP Species

Exposure Patterns

Total Number of Bites Reported By Species

Results of SFV Study

• 2 out of the 46 participants have positive serological tests for foamy virus infection (4% of study participants)

• 1 of the 46 participants has been confirmed as infected with SFV by PCR from PBLs

• Preliminary evidence suggests that this human SFV infection is of macaque origin

Exposure Histories of SFV Infected Humans

• Both individuals report :

• prolonged and ongoing exposure to cynomolgus macaques
• previous exposure to rhesus macaques
• events involving exposure to blood and/or body fluids, including bites, scratches or surgical injuries, from macaque species

Pattern of Blood Donation

• 3% of eligible Canadians donate blood on a regular basis (Canadian Blood Services)

• 54% (25/46)of study participants reported at least one donation of blood or blood products ever.

• 88% (22/25) of Animal workers that reported blood donation also reported bites by NHP’s

Acknowledgements

• Canadian Institutes of Health Research

• Canadian Blood Services

• Health Canada, CIDPC, PPHB

• Dr. Paul Gully

• Dr. Donald Sutherland
• Rick Pilon
• Chris Scherf

• Health Canada, HPFB

• Dr. Jocelyn Fournier

• University of Ottawa

• Dr Francisco Diaz-Mitoma

• Esoterix Inc.

• Dr. Richard Heberling