Prevalence of rotavirus and norovirus antibodies in non-human primates

Rotavirus and norovirus are associated with a substantial burden of diarrheal disease in humans and some animals, but their role in acute viral gastroenteritis in non-human primates has not been established. We examined sera from five species of Old and New World monkeys and chimpanzees for antibodies to rotavirus and norovirus by enzyme immunoassays using RRV and three recombinant human norovirus capsid proteins, respectively. Most (88%) of the 3 Old World monkey species (mangabey, pigtail, and rhesus) and apes were seropositive for rotavirus. Norovirus antibody was prevalent in the three monkey species, with 53% (44/83) and 58% (48/83) seropositive for GI and GII strains, respectively. Eleven (92%) of the 12 chimpanzees tested were seropositive for GI norovirus. Given the high rate of infection with both viruses, the role of these agents in causing acute gastroenteritis in non-human primates and the value of these animals as models of infection and disease need to be assessed.