Isolation of Simian Immunodeficiency Viruses from Two Sooty Mangabeys in Côte d'Ivoire: Virological and Genetic Characterization and Relationship to Other HIV Type 2 and SIVsm/mac Strains

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Abstract
Objective To search for the presence of SIV in sooty mangabeys and other monkey species in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa, and to compare viral isolates with HIV-2 strains from the same region. Methods Forty-three captive housed monkeys (28 African green monkeys, 6 sooty mangabeys, 6 baboons, and 6 patas monkeys) were tested for the presence of HIV and SIV antibodies. Virus was isolated from the peripheral blood lymphocytes of seropositive animals and from HIV-2 antibody-positive patients originating from Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, and Belgium. Viruses were characterized by Western blot and radioimmunoprecipitation assay. Proviral DNA was amplified by PCR, cloned, and sequenced to construct a phylogenetic tree. Results One African green monkey and three sooty mangabeys had antibodies that cross-reacted with HIV-2. From two mangabeys lentiviruses were isolated and designated as SIVsmCI2 and SIVsmCI8. Serological, virological, and sequence data showed that these isolates are members of the HIV-2/SIVsm/SIVmac group of primate lentiviruses. Furthermore, in the phylogenetic tree, these two new viruses form a distinct subgroup that is equidistant to the HIV-2 strains and the previously described SIVsm/SIVmac viruses. Conclusion This study provides additional evidence that sooty mangabey monkeys can be infected with a lentivirus in their natural habitat. Within the SIVsm and SIVmac viruses extensive genetic variation is observed.