Specific pathogen-free macaques: definition, history, and current production.

Area of Science:

• Primate research
• Infectious disease control
• Animal models

Background:

• Specific pathogen-free (SPF) macaque colonies are increasingly vital for biomedical research.
• Historically, SPF colonies aimed to eliminate pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb.) to improve animal health and reproduction.
• Current SPF colony development focuses on controlling four key viral pathogens: simian type D retrovirus (SRV), simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), simian T-cell lymphotropic/leukemia virus (STLV), and Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1 (CHV-1).

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development and application of SPF macaque colonies.
• To highlight the importance of SPF nonhuman primates (NHPs) in North American research.
• To discuss the role of these animals in modeling human Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature and technologies for SPF primate development.
• Analysis of breeding and maintenance schemes for SPF colonies.
• Focus on Asian macaques commonly used in North American research facilities.

Main Results:

• Advancements in new technologies, breeding, and maintenance have enabled the development of SPF primates.
• Asian macaques are the primary NHPs utilized in North American research.
• Modeling human AIDS is a significant application for these SPF macaques.

Conclusions:

• SPF macaque colonies are essential resources for advancing biomedical research.
• Effective management of specific pathogens is key to maintaining SPF status.
• SPF Asian macaques provide a valuable model for studying human diseases like AIDS.