Squirrel monkey retrovirus ( SMRV , German: squirrel monkey retrovirus ), is a virus of the family of retroviruses ( Retroviridae ), the 1977 from a squirrel monkey (Engl. Squirrel monkey ) the nature Saimiri sciureus was isolated. It is an endogenous retrovirus that belongs to the beta retrovirus genus. Natural infections of other hosts are not yet known, but the virus infects cell lines of various other organisms, including cells from humans and dogs. At the beginning of 2007, two collaborating laboratories in Germany described the contamination of their cell lines with SMRV and reported them to various authorities, which thereuponissued the recommendationvia the Central Commission for Biosafety to reviewthe cell lines that are used in laboratories in Germany allow. Due to the relatively broad tropism , the virus is classified in risk group 2.
Colcher D, Heberling RL, Kalter SS, Schlom J. Squirrel monkey retrovirus: an endogenous virus of a new world primate. J Virol. 1977 Aug; 23 (2): 294-301. PMID 69724
Schochetman G, Fine DL .: Natural distribution of squirrel monkey retrovirus proviral sequences in primate DNAs. J Gen Virol. 1978 Jul; 40 (1): 257-61. PMID 99487
