Screening of compounds with potential use in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) can currently be made in cell culture systems, but there is a need for relevant animal models. We have infected cynomolgus monkeys with simian immunodeficiency virus of sooty mangabey origin (SIVSM) and investigated the influence of multiplicity of infection (MOI) and the effects of three different anti-HIV compounds, 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT), foscarnet (PFA) and 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine (ddC) on the acute infection. To secure a maximal effect of treatment this was started 8h before challenge with SIVSM and the drugs were given subsequently every 8h for 7–9 days. The appearance of viral antigen and antibodies in serum was determined. In control animals the mean day for SIV antigen appearance was Day 5.9 post-infection, whereas in animals treated with 3 × 25 mg kg−1 day−1 of AZT and 3 × 65 mg kg−1 day−1 of PFA there were significant delays in SIV antigen appearance of 1.0 and 3.6 days, respectively. Some delay in antigen appearance was indicated in animals treated with 3 × 0.2 mg kg−1 day−1 of ddC. A delayed antibody response was only seen in animals treated with PFA. Viral infection was not prevented at the multiplicity used with any of the drugs, despite treatment prior to virus inoculation. The animal model described offers attractive features for in vivo evaluation of potential anti-HIV compounds.

The aim of this study was to examine whether a vaginal Escherichia coli colonization, mimicking the one seen in UTI-prone females, could be induced by amoxicillin administration. In adult cynomolgus monkeys, who carry the alpha-Gal-1-4-beta-Gal receptor for P-fimbriae, we have investigated the ability of a clinical isolate of P-fimbriated E. coli to colonize the mucous membranes of the genital tract. When the vagina was washed with a suspension of the P-fimbriated strain, a persistent colonization was obtained in only 17% (4/24) of the experiments. When such colonization attempts were performed during vaginal amoxicillin administration, a persistent and heavy colonization of the vagina occurred in 5/5 attempts. The findings do not contradict our hypothesis that antibiotics given to UTI-prone females may facilitate the establishment of the abnormal colonization of the genital tract.

Glucan, a 1-3-polyglucosidic component of the cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was evaluated for its ability to alter survival in rats with induced intraabdominal sepsis. In four groups, each of 15 rats, the bacteriological flora was changed into that of humans by giving the animals a meat chew. Intraabdominal sepsis was induced by resecting 1 cm of the intestine and reinplanting it in the abdominal cavity after reestablishing the intestinal continuity by one-layer end-to-end anastomosis. The rats were injected with either glucan or isovolumetric saline or benzylpenicillin or glucan plus benzylpenicillin. The results indicate no significant difference in mortality rate between the groups treated with either glucan or benzylpenicillin on the one hand and, on the other, the group given saline alone. However, the group treated with glucan plus benzylpenicillin differed significantly from the control group given just saline. The bacterial flora did not seem to be influenced by glucan administration. It is concluded that glucan has a clear effect on the survival rate of rats with induced peritonitis, probably by enhancing the activities of the reticuloendothelial system – an important part of the total host resistance.

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