SIV infection of monkey spleen cells including follicular dendritic cells in different stages of disease

Article Abstract:

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) appears to infect follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) in lymphoid tissue before it infects macrophages and T cells. Researchers used the polymerase chain reaction to detect SIV RNA in spleen tissue samples from seven cynomolgus monkeys infected with SIV. In three of the monkeys, higher levels of RNA were detected in the FDCs than in macrophages, B cells or T cells. These three monkeys were asymptomatic. One monkey still had normal CD4 counts. On the other hand, four monkeys with advanced disease had less viral RNA in their FDCs. This could result from the destruction of FDCs. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of mature and immature virus in the FDC cells. The destruction of antigen-presenting FDCs could explain some of the immune dysfunction seen in HIV infection, since these cells are involved in the development of B cells.

Models, HIV infection, HIV infections, Spleen, Lymphatics, Lymphatic system

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Thymic immunopathology and progression of SIVsm infection in cynomolgus monkeys

Article Abstract:

The simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) may cause changes in the thymus gland which may accelerate the spread of infection throughout the body. SIV is similar to HIV, but affects only monkeys. Experimentally-induced SIV infection in monkeys is used to model effects of HIV infection in humans. Twenty-one monkeys were inoculated with SIV, and all showed signs of infection at autopsy. The changes observed in the thymus glands were seen at the cell level. Monkeys with damage to their thymus gland had lower levels of CD4 cells, which in turn caused immunodeficiency. The polymerase chain reaction detected SIV in the monkeys' thymus gland. SIV caused cells in the thymus to develop follicles, or cavities, in which the virus became trapped. The presence of the trapped virus in the thymus may have affected the maturation of T-cells and destroyed some CD4 cells.

Physiological aspects, Diseases, Thymus, Thymus gland, Kra, Crab eating macaque

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Performance of a modified HIV-1 p24 antigen assay for early diagnosis of HIV-1 infection in infants and prediction of mother-to-infant transmission of HIV-1 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Article Abstract:

Heating blood samples can increase the efficiency of a test that measures the HIV p24 antigen. Heating removes the antigen-antibody complexes that interfere with the test. This technique was used to test blood samples from 76 infants who tested positive for HIV by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. The p24 test accurately detected 98.7% of the HIV-infected infants. It also ruled out HIV infection 100% in 101 infants who tested negative by PCR. The p24 antigen test could be used in developing countries that cannot afford PCR testing.

Diagnosis, Testing, Infants (Newborn), Newborn infants, HIV infection in children, Pediatric HIV infections

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