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The identification of endogenous avian leukosis virus (ALV) and endogenous avian retrovirus (EAV) in chick cell-derived measles and mumps vaccines in current use has raised concern about transmission of these retroviruses to vaccine recipients. We used serologic and molecular methods to analyze specimens from 206 recipients of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine for evidence of infection with ALV and EAV. A Western blot assay for detecting antibodies to endogenous ALV was developed and validated. All serum samples were negative for antibodies to endogenous ALV by Western blot analysis. Peripheral blood lymphocyte samples from 100 vaccinees were further tested by polymerase chain reaction for both ALV and EAV proviral sequences; all were negative. Matching serum samples were tested by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for ALV and EAV RNA, and all 100 samples were negative, providing no evidence of viremia. These findings do not indicate the presence of either ALV or EAV infection in MMR vaccine recipients and provide support for current immunization policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a reply to a letter to the editor in regards to an article published in a previous issue which discussed simian retroviral infections in human beings.

Presents research which studied whether porcine xenografts can lead to porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) infection of recipients. PERV carried in the pig germline; Exposure of patients to the virus; Methods; Findings; Absence of PERV infections in these patients; Minimum standard for post-transplant surveillance of patients given porcine xenografts.

We investigated 322 North American zoo workers in an anonymous serosurvey for antibodies to simian foamy viruses to establish the potential risk of zoonotic transmission by these retroviruses. 4 of 133 (3%) individuals who worked specifically with mammals including primates were seropositive, primarily with chimp-like viruses, indicating the importance of work practices to reduce exposure to these agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]