Role of monkeys in the sylvatic cycle of chikungunya virus in Senegal

Benjamin M. Althouse (), Mathilde Guerbois, Derek A. T. Cummings, Ousmane M. Diop, Ousmane Faye, Abdourahmane Faye, Diawo Diallo, Bakary Djilocalisse Sadio, Abdourahmane Sow, Oumar Faye, Amadou A. Sall, Mawlouth Diallo, Brenda Benefit, Evan Simons, Douglas M. Watts, Scott C. Weaver and Kathryn A. Hanley
Additional contact information
Benjamin M. Althouse: Institute for Disease Modeling
Mathilde Guerbois: University of Texas Medical Branch
Derek A. T. Cummings: University of Florida
Ousmane M. Diop: Institut Pasteur de Dakar
Ousmane Faye: Institut Pasteur de Dakar
Abdourahmane Faye: Institut Pasteur de Dakar
Diawo Diallo: Institut Pasteur de Dakar
Bakary Djilocalisse Sadio: Institut Pasteur de Dakar
Abdourahmane Sow: Institut Pasteur de Dakar
Oumar Faye: Institut Pasteur de Dakar
Amadou A. Sall: Institut Pasteur de Dakar
Mawlouth Diallo: Institut Pasteur de Dakar
Brenda Benefit: New Mexico State University
Evan Simons: New Mexico State University
Douglas M. Watts: University of Texas at El Paso
Scott C. Weaver: University of Texas Medical Branch
Kathryn A. Hanley: New Mexico State University

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Arboviruses spillover into humans either as a one-step jump from a reservoir host species into humans or as a two-step jump from the reservoir to an amplification host species and thence to humans. Little is known about arbovirus transmission dynamics in reservoir and amplification hosts. Here we elucidate the role of monkeys in the sylvatic, enzootic cycle of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in the region around Kédougou, Senegal. Over 3 years, 737 monkeys were captured, aged using anthropometry and dentition, and tested for exposure to CHIKV by detection of neutralizing antibodies. Infant monkeys were positive for CHIKV even when the virus was not detected in a concurrent survey of mosquitoes and when population immunity was too high for monkeys alone to support continuous transmission. We conclude that monkeys in this region serve as amplification hosts of CHIKV. Additional efforts are needed to identify other hosts capable of supporting continuous circulation.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03332-7

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