How simian foamy virus spreads from primates to people
Epidemiological and Molecular Aspects of the Interspecies Transmission of Foamy Viruses From Monkeys to Humans: A Model of the Early Stages of Viral Emergence.
This project will test whether people living in rural Cameroon who have contact with nonhuman primates carry simian foamy virus and how often it jumps to humans.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 1600 (estimated) |
| Ages | 5 Years to 90 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Institut Pasteur Industry-sponsored |
| Locations | 1 site (Yaoundé) |
| Trial ID | NCT03225794 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers will perform microbiological monitoring of people aged 5 and older living in rural zones of Cameroon to detect simian foamy virus infection. Participants will provide informed consent and biological samples that are screened for viral markers and sequenced when positive. The work links human sample results with patterns of animal contact to document early cross‑species transmission events. Findings will be analyzed at Centre Pasteur du Cameroun to map occurrence and genetic relationships between primate and human viruses.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people aged 5 years and older living in rural areas of Cameroon who may have contact with nonhuman primates and can provide written consent.
Not a fit: People younger than 5, those not living in the target rural areas of Cameroon, or individuals without primate exposure are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify early human infections and guide prevention efforts to reduce future viral emergence from primates.
How similar studies have performed: Previous observational work in Central Africa has detected simian foamy virus in people exposed to primates, so the approach is established though still limited in scope.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Living in a rural zone of Cameroon * Being \> 5 yrs old * Having received study information and having provided written consent for self and children, if applicable (for all phases) Exclusion Criteria: * Having refused to provide consent * Being less than 5 years old
Where this trial is running
Yaoundé
- Centre Pasteur du CAmeroun — Yaoundé, Cameroon (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Antoine GESSAIN, MD — Institut Pasteur
- Study coordinator: Antoine GESSAIN, MD
- Email: antoine.gessain@pasteur.fr
- Phone: +33 1 45 68 89 37
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.