Rong Bao

Macacine alphaherpesvirus 1 (McHV-1, commonly known as Monkey B Virus) is a fatal zoonotic pathogen naturally prevalent in macaques. In this study, we developed and conducted a proof-of-concept analytical validation of a HotStart Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) assay targeting a conserved, moderately GC-rich (61–62%) region of the UL1 gene in McHV-1. The reaction was optimized at 70 °C using engineered HotStart Bst 3.2/4.2 DNA Polymerase, tracked via real-time fluorescence and closed-tube visual colorimetric detection (pre-added L-HNB dye) without post-amplification tube opening to reduce the risk of post-amplification aerosol carry-over contamination. The assay achieved a preliminary practical analytical limit of detection (analytical LOD) of 100 copies/reaction (3/3 replicates) within a 15–30 min diagnostic cutoff window, matching the practical sensitivity of reference qPCR. Strict analytical specificity was demonstrated against a comprehensive panel of human herpesviruses (HHV-1 through HHV-5) and host macaque genomic DNA. As a single-target analytical prototype, this visual HotStart LAMP platform provides a rapid, equipment-free molecular tool with promising potential for McHV-1 surveillance in resource-limited settings and macaque breeding facilities upon further clinical validation.

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of Indian-origin rhesus macaques (RM) has been widely used as a well-established nonhuman primate (NHP) model for HIV/AIDS research. However, there have been a growing number of studies using Chinese RM to evaluate immunopathogenesis of SIV infection. In this paper, we have for the first time reviewed and discussed the major publications related to SIV or SHIV infection of Chinese RM in the past decades. We have compared the differences in the pathogenesis of SIV infection between Chinese RM and Indian RM with regard to viral infection, immunological response, and host genetic background. Given AIDS is a disease that affects humans of diverse origins, it is of importance to study animals with different geographical background. Therefore, to examine and compare results obtained from RM models of Indian and Chinese origins should lead to further validation and improvement of these animal models for HIV/AIDS research.