Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Analysis of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-specific CD8+ T-cells in Rhesus Macaques by Peptide-MHC-I Tetramer Staining
06:25

Analysis of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-specific CD8+ T-cells in Rhesus Macaques by Peptide-MHC-I Tetramer Staining

Published on: December 23, 2016

Thrombocytopenia is strongly associated with simian AIDS in pigtail macaques

Sheilajen Alcantara1, Jeanette Reece, Thakshila Amarasena

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.

Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (1999)
|May 23, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Thrombocytopenia (TCP), or low platelet count, is common in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection in macaques. This finding suggests TCP can serve as a useful marker in SIV research.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Immunology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection in macaques presents a variable disease course, complicating the assessment of progressive infection.
  • Thrombocytopenia (TCP) is frequently observed during progressive SIV infection in pigtail macaques (Macaca nemestrina).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the relationship between platelet counts, viral load (VL), and CD4 T-cell levels in chronically SIV-infected pigtail macaques.
  • To evaluate the utility of TCP as an endpoint in simian AIDS research.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of platelet counts, plasma viral load (VL), and CD4 T-cell levels in 44 unselected pigtail macaques with chronic SIV infection.
  • Correlation analysis between TCP, VL, CD4 T-cell counts, and clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Persistent TCP was observed in 70% of macaques infected with SIVmac251 for up to 77 weeks without significant bleeding.
  • TCP correlated with higher SIV plasma VLs and reduced CD4 T-cell counts (total and memory).
  • TCP was more prevalent in macaques euthanized due to incipient AIDS compared to survivors, though VL and CD4 T-cell decline were stronger predictors of AIDS-free survival.

Conclusions:

  • Thrombocytopenia is a common finding in SIV-infected pigtail macaques and correlates with disease progression markers.
  • TCP is a potentially useful endpoint for evaluating SIV studies in pigtail macaques.
  • Immune activation, measured by soluble CD14, did not clearly correlate with TCP development.

More Related Videos

Processing of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid and Matched Blood for Alveolar Macrophage and CD4+ T-cell Immunophenotyping and HIV Reservoir Assessment07:21

Processing of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid and Matched Blood for Alveolar Macrophage and CD4+ T-cell Immunophenotyping and HIV Reservoir Assessment

Published on: June 23, 2019

Single-cell Quantitation of mRNA and Surface Protein Expression in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-infected CD4+ T Cells Isolated from Rhesus macaques13:13

Single-cell Quantitation of mRNA and Surface Protein Expression in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-infected CD4+ T Cells Isolated from Rhesus macaques

Published on: September 25, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Amebiasis01:28

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...