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Amplifying and Quantifying HIV-1 RNA in HIV Infected Individuals with Viral Loads Below the Limit of Detection by Standard Clinical Assays
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Published on: September 26, 2011

Simian AIDS--evidence for a retroviral etiology

M Gardner, P Marx, D Maul

    Hematological Oncology
    |July 1, 1984
    PubMed

    Insights

    A simian model of acquired immunodeficiency (SAIDS) in macaques closely resembles human AIDS. Researchers identified an infectious type D retrovirus as the primary cause of SAIDS, offering insights into human AIDS.

    Area of Science:

    • Veterinary Pathology
    • Primatology
    • Retroviral Research

    Background:

    • Simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS) is an endemic disease in US macaque colonies.
    • SAIDS shares clinical and pathological similarities with human acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review the key features of the simian model of acquired immunodeficiency (SAIDS).
    • To discuss the relevance of SAIDS findings for understanding human AIDS.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of existing literature and case studies on SAIDS in macaques.
    • Identification and characterization of the causative retrovirus.

    Main Results:

    • SAIDS in macaques mirrors human AIDS in clinical signs, pathology, and immune dysfunction.
    • An infectious type D retrovirus, distinct from Mason-Pfizer monkey virus, was identified as the primary SAIDS agent.

    Conclusions:

    • The macaque SAIDS model is highly relevant for studying human AIDS.
    • Understanding the type D retrovirus in SAIDS can inform human AIDS research.

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