Maternal transmission of SIVsmm in rhesus macaques

Fifteen SIV-infected rhesus monkeys delivered 13 livebirths and two stillbirths; one livebirth died at three days of age. While all infants were culture-negative for SIV at birth, nine had maternal antibodies that disappeared by six months of age. Three infants subsequently seroconverted and became virus positive at 9-15 months. Milk samples from all mothers were virus-negative at parturition but samples from four animals were virus-positive at nine and 12 months. This study documents maternal transmission of SIV and suggests transmission by breast-feeding.