Sajeda Begum

Characterizing the picornavirus landscape among synanthropic nonhuman primates in Bangladesh, 2007 to 2008

ABSTRACT The term synanthropic describes organisms that thrive in human-altered habitats. Where synanthropic nonhuman primates (NHP) share an ecological niche with humans, cross-species transmission of infectious agents can occur. In Bangladesh, synanthropic NHP are found in villages, densely populated cities, religious sites, and protected forest areas. NHP are also kept as performing monkeys and pets. To investigate possible transmission of enteric picornaviruses between humans and NHP, we collected fecal specimens from five NHP taxa at16 locations in Bangladesh during five field sessions, from January 2007 to June 2008. Specimens were screened using real-time PCR assays for the genera Enterovirus, Parechovirus, and Sapelovirus; PCR-positive samples were typed by VP1 sequencing. To compare picornavirus diversity between humans and NHP, the same assays were applied to 211 human stool specimens collected in Bangladesh in 2007 to 2008 for acute flaccid paralysis surveillance. Picornaviruses were detected in 78 of 677 (11.5%) NHP fecal samples. Twenty distinct human enterovirus (EV) serotypes, two bovine EV types, six human parechovirus serotypes, and one virus related to Ljungan virus were identified. Twenty-five additional enteroviruses and eight parechoviruses could not be typed. Comparison of the picornavirus serotypes detected in NHP specimens with those detected in human specimens revealed considerable overlap. Strikingly, no known simian enteroviruses were detected among these NHP populations. In conclusion, enteroviruses and parechoviruses may be transmitted between humans and synanthropic NHP in Bangladesh, but the directionality of transmission is unknown. These findings may have important implications for the health of both human and NHP populations.

Naturally Acquired Picornavirus Infections in Primates at the Dhaka Zoo

ABSTRACT The conditions in densely populated Bangladesh favor picornavirus transmission, resulting in a high rate of infection in the human population. Data suggest that nonhuman primates (NHP) may play a role in the maintenance and transmission of diverse picornaviruses in Bangladesh. At the Dhaka Zoo, multiple NHP species are caged in close proximity. Their proximity to other species and to humans, both zoo workers and visitors, provides the potential for cross-species transmission. To investigate possible interspecies and intraspecies transmission of picornaviruses among NHP, we collected fecal specimens from nine NHP taxa at the Dhaka Zoo at three time points, August 2007, January 2008, and June 2008. Specimens were screened using real-time PCR for the genera Enterovirus, Parechovirus, and Sapelovirus, and positive samples were typed by VP1 sequencing. Fifty-two picornaviruses comprising 10 distinct serotypes were detected in 83 fecal samples. Four of these serotypes, simian virus 19 (SV19), baboon enterovirus (BaEV), enterovirus 112 (EV112), and EV115, have been solely associated with infection in NHP. EV112, EV115, and SV19 accounted for 88% of all picornaviruses detected. Over 80% of samples from cages housing rhesus macaques, olive baboons, or hamadryas baboons were positive for a picornavirus, while no picornaviruses were detected in samples from capped langurs or vervet monkeys. In contrast to our findings among synanthropic NHP in Bangladesh where 100% of the picornaviruses detected were of human serotypes, in the zoo population, only 15% of picornaviruses detected in NHP were of human origin. Specific serotypes tended to persist over time, suggesting either persistent infection of individuals or cycles of reinfection.

Distribution of Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) in Bangladesh: Inter-population Variation in Group Size and Composition

Abstract: In Bangladesh rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) are found in forested habitats and urban areas. From 2005 to 2010, we investigated the distribution of rhesus macaques throughout the country. Populations were estimated by line transect, point sampling and direct counting. A total of 37 groups in 16 localities were recorded in urban areas. Overall, group size in urban areas ranged from 22 to 91 individuals, with a mean of 41.3 ± 16.7. Rhesus macaques in urban areas were found mostly near Hindu communities. Nearly five times as many groups (n= 176) of rhesus were observed in the forested habitats of the country. Overall group size in natural habitats varied from 10 to 78 individuals, with a mean of 30.2 ± 10.9. Of the natural habitats, the northeast rainforests were found to support the largest groups (38.9 ± 10.3, n = 49), while smaller groups were found in the central deciduous forests (19.3 ± 4.7, n = 18). The adult sex ratio was higher (1 male to 2.86 females) and the ratio between adult and non-adult (immature) was lower (1 adult to 1.70 non-adults) in natural habitats than was found for the populations in urban areas (1 male to 1.93 females, and 1 adult to 2.11 non-adults). In urban areas, the human-monkey conflict is increasing as competition for resources intensifies.

Genesis of Influenza A(H5N8) Viruses

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) clade 2.3.4.4 virus emerged in 2016 and spread to Russia, Europe, and Africa. Our analysis of viruses from domestic ducks at Tanguar haor, Bangladesh, showed genetic similarities with other viruses from wild birds in central Asia, suggesting their potential role in the genesis of A(H5N8).

Morphometric Assessment of Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) from Bangladesh

Abstract: The natural distribution of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) extends from South to East Asia, with substantial morphological variation among populations from different geographic locations. In the following report we compare morphometric measurements from rhesus macaques from Bangladesh to measurements from free-ranging rhesus in Nepal and captive rhesus populations originating in China and India. Our data indicate that Bangladeshi rhesus are morphologically similar to populations in South Asia, particularly India, and distinct from rhesus macaques originating in China. Our results also indicate that relative to the South Asian population samples, the rhesus macaques originating from China are distinct morphometrically.