The Simian Retroviruses SIV and SRV

Simian Retrovirus Infections: Potential Confounding Variables in Primate Toxicology Studies

“…The natural hosts of SIV include many species of African monkeys and the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) (11,35,49,52). Prevalence of infection in various populations of captive and wild African primates may exceed 50% (11,49).…”

“…Prevalence of infection in various populations of captive and wild African primates may exceed 50% (11,49). Infection in these natural host species, however, is almost always subclinical (11,35). Asian macaques are susceptible to SIV infection, but naturally acquired (i.e.…”

“…Asian macaques are susceptible to SIV infection, but naturally acquired (i.e. nonexperimental) infections in macaques are an artifact of captivity, the result of cross-species transmission from African species through direct contact with infected animals or their tissues or body fluids (11,17,36). SIV is not a naturally occurring infection of wild macaques in their countries of origin (35,45).…”

“…Once introduced into macaque populations, however, SIV can cause epidemics of severe immunodeficiency disease (36). Various strains of SIV are highly pathogenic in macaques, and produce a severe immune deficiency disease characterized by a profound decline in CD4 + T-lymphocytes, hematologic abnormalities, opportunisitic infections and lymphoma, similar to human acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (11). Experimental infection of rhesus macaques is now the premier animal model for AIDS-related research (11,16).…”

“…SIV rarely causes overt disease or histologic lesions in natural host species, African monkeys and apes (11). Alterations of cytokine profiles and cell surface markers have been reported, however, including dysregulation of protein kinases (eg, ROR2), involved in T-cell signaling pathways (1), and increased production of IL-10 (12) in SIV-infected sooty mangabeys (Cercocbus atys).…”