Disseminated cytomegalovirus infection in immunodeficient rhesus monkeys

Rhesus monkeys experimentally infected with the lentivirus SIV/Delta become immunodeficient and often die of opportunistic infections. The most frequent of these is cytomegalovirus (CMV). The lesions due to reactivated CMV infection in 14 SIV-infected monkeys were reviewed. Changes due to CMV were observed in the brain, lung, lymph node, liver, spleen, small intestine, testicle, nerves, and arteries. Disseminated CMV infection in immunodeficient rhesus monkeys is a useful model for studying the pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention of similar infections in immunodeficient human beings.