Monkeys in Asia Harbor Viruses from Humans and Other Animal Species

Monkeys in Asia may actually have a virus from humans. Scientists have found that macaques harbor more diverse astroviruses, which can cause infectious gastroenteritis, or diarrhea, in humans.

Astroviruses are commonly associated with diarrhea. However, they can also cause clinical diseases such as nephritis, hepatitis and encephalitis. Astroviruses can also be asymptomatic, depending on the species.

"If you are a bat, you have bat astrovirus, but if you are a monkey, you could have everything," said Lisa Jones-Engel, co-author of the new study, in a news release.

Astroviruses from a number of species, including human, bovine, bird, cow and dog, were detected in monkeys. This changes the idea that astrovirus infection is species-specific.

It's still unknown whether these viruses are two-way and can be transmitted to humans. However, the researchers did find evidence that in monkeys, two species of astrovirus recombined.

Knowing that nonhuman primates can harbor diverse astroviruses, including novel, recombinant viruses that may be pathogenic and/or more efficiently transmitted, highlights the importance of continuing to monitor these viruses over time.

The findings are huge when it comes to better understanding these viruses and making sure that they don't infect humans from other species of animals.

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