The detection of a new virus variant in rhesus macaques

Simian virus 40 (SV40) is one of the best studied virusses. The human variant of this virus can induce severe and in some cases fatal disease in humans with a weakened immune system. Similarly, SV40 can cause serious disease in macaques.

Researchers of the department of Viroloy of the BPRC have now shown that this virus is more frequently found in immunocompromised monkeys compared to healthy monkeys. This is comparable with  the human situation and this is the same for  the location of the virus in the body. This has been published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology.

Unexpectedly, a new variant of SV40 was found in a large number of monkeys. Combinations of the ‘classical’ and the new variant were frequently detected. The variant differs in a number of important aspects from the classical virus that was described already 50 years ago. The consequences for the biology of the virus (and the potential to induce disease) requires further investigation. The research described in the article reveals the importance of elaborate diagnostics.