Analysis of papillomavirus consensus L1 gene in a closed colony of baboons(Papio anubis)

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze cervical specimens and semen from a closed colony of baboons for the presence of the papillomaviru s consensus L1 gene. STUDY DESIGN: Cervical swabs were collected from lightly anesthetized femal e baboons. Semen was collected from a male baboon by standard electroejacul ation techniques. Deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted from the cells by two different methods and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction targeting the L1 consensus gene common for >25 genital papillomaviruses. RESULTS: Analyses of the polymerase chain reaction-amplified products did n ot reveal bands for the papillomavirus in either the cervical specimens or the semen. CONCLUSIONS: The hypothesis of a linkage between primates with papillomavir us as a common factor is not supported by the results of this study. This i nformation is also important in assisting clinicians in setting up specific pathogen-free colonies of baboons.