Related Experiment Videos
Transmission studies with simian immunodeficiency virus of macaques; persistent infection of baboons
M P Cranage1, N Cook, E J Stott
1Division of Pathology, PHLS Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK.
Abstract:
The host range of SIVmac was investigated in three monkey species. Blood-borne and cell-adapted virus inocula obtained from a rhesus macaque infected with SIVmac251 were compared. African green monkeys were not susceptible to infection, whereas baboons and rhesus macaques became persistently infected and showed similar patterns of seroconversion. However, in contrast to the macaques, no clinical or histopathological evidence of disease was seen in the baboons 2 years after virus inoculation. Thus baboons could be used as an alternative to macaques in vaccine development studies with this particular isolate of SIVmac. Furthermore, this system may be useful for the investigation of factors responsible for disease progression.
Insights
Baboons and rhesus macaques are susceptible to simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVmac) infection, but baboons show no disease signs, suggesting their use in SIVmac vaccine studies.
Area of Science:
- Primate Virology
- Immunodeficiency Viruses
- Infectious Disease Modeling
Background:
- Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection in non-human primates serves as a model for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) research.
- Understanding SIVmac host range is crucial for developing effective vaccines and treatments.
- Previous studies have indicated varying susceptibility of different primate species to SIVmac.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the host range of SIVmac, specifically SIVmac251, in three different monkey species.
- To compare the outcomes of infection using blood-borne versus cell-adapted virus inocula.
- To evaluate the potential of baboons as an alternative model to rhesus macaques for SIV vaccine development.
Main Methods:
- Inoculation of African green monkeys, baboons, and rhesus macaques with SIVmac251.
- Comparison of blood-borne and cell-adapted virus inocula.
- Monitoring of infection through seroconversion and assessment of clinical and histopathological signs of disease over two years.
Main Results:
- African green monkeys were not susceptible to SIVmac infection.
- Baboons and rhesus macaques became persistently infected with SIVmac, exhibiting similar seroconversion patterns.
- While rhesus macaques showed disease progression, baboons displayed no clinical or histopathological evidence of disease two years post-inoculation.
Conclusions:
- Baboons can serve as a suitable alternative to rhesus macaques for vaccine development studies using this SIVmac isolate.
- The observed differences in disease progression highlight the utility of this model system for investigating factors influencing SIV-induced pathogenesis.
- Further research using baboons may elucidate mechanisms underlying disease progression in SIV infection.