Simian Foamy Virus Transmission to Humans

Plasma samples are tested for the presence of antibodies directed against foamy viruses by western blotting (WB). The BHK-21 cell line infected with a chimpanzee foamy virus is used as a source of viral antigen. Samples are considered to be positive if there is net reactivity against the GAG doublet (70 to 74 kD). High molecular weight DNA will be extracted, from either buffy coats, cell cultures, or both, for molecular biology studies. The presence and quality of the DNA will be verified by amplification of a fragment of the beta-globin gene. Two regions of foamy virus genomic DNA will be amplified by nested PCR, using generic amplimers, giving rise to fragments of the integrase gene (425 bp) and LTR (109 bp).