Repeated intravaginal inoculation with cell-associated simian immunodeficiency virus results in persistent infection
Masahiko Kaizu1, Andrea M Weiler, Kim L Weisgrau
1Immunogenetics and Virology Unit, Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711, USA.
Abstract:
The goal of the present study was to develop a nonhuman primate model of intravaginal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission with cell-associated virus. Reproductively mature, cycling cynomolgus macaques with or without chemically induced, transient ulcers of the lower female reproductive tract repeatedly received challenge with a variable amount of in vitro simian immunodeficiency virus mac239-infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Persistent viremia was established with surprisingly few infectious lymphocytes containing physiologically relevant quantities of cell-associated virus. This model will be indispensable for the testing of vaccines and topical agents that are aimed toward the prevention of heterosexual transmission of HIV.
