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Experimental infection of rhesus monkeys with type D retrovirus
Abstract:
The naturally occurring immunodeficiency syndrome of macaque monkeys is an important animal model for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in humans. A new type D retrovirus, distinct from Mason-Pfizer monkey virus, has been isolated from affected animals at the New England Regional Primate Research Center. We now report the results of experimental infection of macaques with retrovirus D/New England after 13 months of study. Inoculated macaques developed lymphadenopathy without follicular hyperplasia, profound neutropenia, and a transient decrease in peripheral blood lymphocyte blastogenic responsiveness. Despite our varying the strain of virus, the manner in which the virus was grown, the size of the inoculum, and the age of the inoculated animals, infected macaques have not developed opportunistic infections or profound, prolonged loss of T cell function, key features of the macaque immunodeficiency syndrome. Therefore, experimental infection of naive macaques with D/New England has not reproduced the naturally occurring macaque immunodeficiency syndrome.
Insights
Researchers investigated a new retrovirus in macaques, an animal model for human immunodeficiency syndrome. Experimental infection did not replicate the natural immunodeficiency syndrome in macaques, indicating this virus may not be the cause.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Immunology
- Primate Models
Background:
- Naturally occurring immunodeficiency syndrome in macaques serves as a critical animal model for human acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
- A novel type D retrovirus, designated D/New England, was isolated from macaques exhibiting this syndrome at the New England Regional Primate Research Center.
- This new retrovirus is distinct from the previously identified Mason-Pfizer monkey virus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pathogenic potential of the newly isolated retrovirus D/New England.
- To determine if experimental infection with retrovirus D/New England can reproduce the naturally occurring macaque immunodeficiency syndrome.
- To characterize the clinical and immunological outcomes following experimental retroviral infection in macaques.
Main Methods:
- Experimental inoculation of naive macaques with retrovirus D/New England.
- Monitoring of clinical signs, including lymphadenopathy and hematological parameters (neutropenia, lymphocyte blastogenic responsiveness).
- Assessment for opportunistic infections and evaluation of T cell function over a 13-month study period.
Main Results:
- Inoculated macaques exhibited lymphadenopathy without follicular hyperplasia and profound neutropenia.
- A transient decrease in peripheral blood lymphocyte blastogenic responsiveness was observed.
- Crucially, infected macaques did not develop opportunistic infections or profound, prolonged loss of T cell function, which are hallmarks of the natural disease.
Conclusions:
- Experimental infection of naive macaques with retrovirus D/New England did not successfully reproduce the naturally occurring macaque immunodeficiency syndrome.
- The isolated retrovirus D/New England, under the experimental conditions, does not appear to be the sole causative agent of the severe immunodeficiency observed in naturally affected macaques.
- Further research is needed to identify the specific etiological agent(s) responsible for the macaque immunodeficiency syndrome.