Intra-Host SARS-CoV-2 Evolution in the Gut of Mucosally-Infected Chlorocebus aethiops (African Green Monkeys)

In recent months, several SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged that enhance transmissibility and escape host humoral immunity. Hence, the tracking of viral evolutionary trajectories is clearly of great importance. Little is known about SARS-CoV-2 evolution in nonhuman primate models used to test vaccines and therapies and to model human disease. Viral RNA was sequenced from rectal swabs from Chlorocebus aethiops (African green monkeys) after experimental respiratory SARS-CoV-2 infection. Two distinct patterns of viral evolution were identified that were shared between all collected samples. First, mutations in the furin cleavage site that were initially present in the virus as a consequence of VeroE6 cell culture adaptation were not detected in viral RNA recovered in rectal swabs, confirming the necessity of this motif for viral infection in vivo. Three amino acid changes were also identified; ORF 1a S2103F, and spike D215G and H655Y, which were detected in rectal swabs from all sampled animals. These findings are demonstrative of intra-host SARS-CoV-2 evolution and may identify a host-adapted variant of SARS-CoV-2 that would be useful in future primate models involving SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Myeloid cell-driven nonregenerative pulmonary scarring is conserved in multiple nonhuman primate species regardless of SARS-CoV-2 infection modality

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has caused a worldwide pandemic resulting in widespread efforts in development of animal models that recapitulate human disease for evaluation of medical countermeasures, and to dissect COVID-19 immunopathogenesis. We tested whether route of experimental infection substantially changes COVID-19 disease characteristics in two species (Macaca mulatta; rhesus macaques; RM, Chlorocebus atheiops; African green monkeys; AGM) of nonhuman primates. Species-specific cohorts of RM and AGM Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta, RMs) and African green monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops, AGMs) were experimentally infected with homologous SARS-CoV-2 by either direct mucosal instillation or small particle aerosol in route-discrete subcohorts. Both species demonstrated equivalent infection initially by either exposure route although the magnitude and duration of viral loading was greater in AGMs than that of the RM. Clinical onset was nearly immediate (+1dpi) in mucosally-exposed cohorts whereas aerosol-infected animals began to show signs +7dpi. Myeloid cell responses indicative of the development of pulmonary scarring and extended lack of regenerative capacity in the pulmonary compartment was a conserved pathologic response in both species by either exposure modality. This pathological commonality may be useful in future anti-fibrosis therapeutic evaluations and expands our understanding of how SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to ARDS and functional lung damage.

Intra-host SARS-CoV-2 evolution in the gut of mucosally-infected Chlorocebus aethiops (African green monkeys)

In recent months, several SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged that enhance transmissibility and escape host humoral immunity. Hence, the tracking of viral evolutionary trajectories is clearly of great importance. Little is known about SARS-CoV-2 evolution in nonhuman primate models used to test vaccines and therapies and to model human disease. Viral RNA was sequenced from rectal swabs from Chlorocebus aethiops (African green monkeys) after experimental respiratory SARS-CoV-2 infection. Two distinct patterns of viral evolution were identified that were shared between all collected samples. First, mutations in the furin cleavage site that were initially present in the virus as a consequence of VeroE6 cell culture adaptation were subsequently lost in virus recovered in rectal swabs, confirming the necessity of this motif for viral infection in vivo. Three amino acid changes were also identified; ORF 1a S2103F, and spike D215G and H655Y, that were detected in rectal swabs from all sampled animals. These finding are demonstrative of intra-host SARS-CoV-2 evolution unique to this nonhuman primate species and identifies a host-adapted variant of SARS-CoV-2 that may be useful in future development of primate disease models.

A Preliminary Survey of Medium and Large‐Sized Mammals in Amoro Forest, West Gojjam Zone, Amhara, Ethiopia

Aim: The objective of this study was to survey the species composition, relative abundance and to determine major threats of medium and large-sized mammals in Amoro Forest. Method: Linetransects surveying and indirect surveys method (including fresh tracks, scats, hair, spines and burrows) were used to survey mammalian diversity. A survey was conducted in the early morning from 6:00 to 10:00 and late afternoon from 16:00 to 19:00. Key interview and direct site observationswere carried out to assess the major threat of mammals in the study area. Results: A total of 12 species of medium and large sized mammals belonging to sex orders and eight families were recorded. Porcupine (Hystrix cristata), Vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops) and Olive baboon (Papio anubis) were among the medium-sized mammals while, Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta),Leopard (Panthera pardus) and Common duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) were among the large sized mammals observed in the study area. Shannon–Wiener Index values were low (H′ = 1.666) whereas, the Simpson’s index (1-D) of diversity showed the highest species diversity (0.761) in the study area. Illegal logging of trees; overgrazing, agricultural activities and human-wildlife conflicts were the foremost threats in the area. Conclusion: Species richness and evenness were varied from habitat to habitat in Amoro forest. Land degradation anddifferent anthropogenicactivities were common threats for the mammals in the study area. Community participation and awareness creation is very important to limit the impact of anthropogenic activities threatening wildlife. Key words: Anthropogenic activity, Conservation, Diversity, Mammalssurvey

On the problem of craniological differentiation in two species of the green monkeys: Chlorocebus pygerythrus and C. aethiops (Cercopithecidae, Primates)

The problem of taxonomic differentiation in the order Primates is one of the important problems of evolutionary anthropology and primatology. The systematics of primates reflects their evolutionary relationships and allows to reconstruct the possible ways of formation of particular groups. Clarification of primate taxonomy involves a wide range of data, primarily from the field of morphology. Among the morphological features that distinguish particular taxa, the special role belongs to the system of craniological characters, which allow diagnosing the skulls in museum collections or fossil materials. The article is devoted to craniological identification of two species of the genus Chlorocebus: Chlorocebus pygerythrus (vervets) and Chlorocebus aethiops (grivets).

Diversity and prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites with zoonotic potential of Green Monkeys in Bandia Reserve in Senegal

Background and Aim: Parasitic and infectious diseases are ubiquitous threats to primate and human populations. This study was carried out to study the diversity and frequency of gastrointestinal parasites with zoonotic potential in green monkeys in the Bandia Reserve located in Senegal. Materials and Methods: For this study, 164 stool samples of Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus (green monkey) were collected from October to November 2018 from Bandia Reserve. Stool samples were processed using the merthiolate-iodine-formalin staining technique and the modified Ritchie method. The slides were examined under a microscope and the identification of parasites was based on the morphology of protozoan cysts and helminth eggs. The analysis of data was conducted using R version 3.4.3 with p=0.05. Results: A total of six species of parasites were found, including five protozoa (Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica/ dispar, Entamoeba hartmanni, Endolimax nana, and Iodamoeba butschlii) and one nematode (Strongyloides spp.). The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite was 76.2% (95% CI: 69.7%-82.7%). Two parasites with zoonotic potential, mainly E. histolytica/dispar with a prevalence of 13.4% (95% CI: 8.2%-18.6%) and Strongyloides spp. with a prevalence of 6.7% (95% CI: 2.9%-10.5%), were found. Conclusion: This study indicated that the monkeys of the Bandia Reserve are infested by zoonotic parasites and can, therefore, ensure transmission to visitors to the Reserve. The parasitological data that we report are the first available for these species of monkeys in the Bandia Reserve.