Biomedical subjects

J O Heckel

Publications and source records attributed to J O Heckel.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infections in nonhuman primates.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in nonhuman primates. Serum samples from Europe, Thailand and Vietnam were analyzed. Sera obtained from 262 apes and 454 monkeys were tested for HBV infection serologically and for HBV DNA using nested PCR (nPCR). A total number of 198 ape sera and all but one (Cercopithecus aethiops) of the 4543 monkey sera had no serological signs of HBV infection. Among the 64 of 262 (24.4%) seropositive ape sera, we found, as in humans, different stages of HBV infection: very early HBV infection, active infection with high level of infectivity, virus carriers with low infectivity, and passed HBV infection. In the cases with passed infection, 47.8% harbored HBV DNA in the presence of protective antibodies to the HBV surface antigen (HBsAb). This indicates HBV persistence in apes despite immune control. In contrast to apes, in monkeys HBV infection is a very rare event.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis B virus variants in nonhuman primates.

We characterized hepatitis B virus (HBV) isolates from sera of 21 hepatitis B virus surface antigen-positive apes, members of the families Pongidae and Hylobatidae (19 gibbon spp., 1 chimpanzee, and 1 gorilla). Sera originate from German, French, Thai, and Vietnamese primate-keeping institutions. To estimate the phylogenetic relationships, we sequenced two genomic regions, one located within the pre-S1/pre-S2 region and one including parts of the polymerase and the X protein open reading frames. By comparison with published human and ape HBV isolates, the sequences could be classified into six genomic groups. Four of these represented new genomic groups of gibbon HBV variants. The gorilla HBV isolate was distantly related to the chimpanzee isolate described previously. To confirm these findings, the complete HBV genome from representatives of each genomic group was sequenced. The HBV isolates from gibbons living in different regions of Thailand and Vietnam could be classified into four different phylogenetically distinct genomic groups. The same genomic groups were found in animals from European zoos. Therefore, the HBV infections of these apes might have been introduced into European primate-keeping facilities by direct import of already infected animals from different regions in Thailand. Taken together, our data suggest that HBV infections are indigenous in the different apes. One event involving transmission between human and nonhuman primates in the Old World of a common ancestor of human HBV genotypes A to E and the ape HBV variants might have occurred.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Apparent fatal snakebite in three hawks.

Based on histories and gross and histologic findings, snakebite was diagnosed in three dead raptors submitted for post-mortem examination from northern Florida and southern Georgia (USA). Two immature red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) were found next to dead and partially eaten venomous snakes. An adult Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii) was found adjacent to a den containing a cotton-mouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) and an eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus). Gross findings in all birds consisted of hemorrhage and gangrenous necrosis of one limb. Severe muscular degeneration was seen histologically.

Agkistrodon↗