A novel simian retrovirus subtype discovered in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)

A new simian retrovirus (SRV) subtype was discovered in China and the USA from Cambodian-origin cynomolgus monkeys. Histopathological examination from necropsied animals showed multifocal lymphoplasmacystic and histocytic inflammation. The complete genome sequences demonstrated that the US virus isolates were nearly identical (99.91–99.93 %) and differed only slightly (99.13–99.16 % identical) from the China isolate. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the new virus isolates formed a distinct branch of SRV-1 through -7, and therefore were named this subtype, SRV-8. This SRV-8 variant was also phylogenetically and serologically more closely related to SRV-4 than any other SRV subtype.