Mechanism of genital transmission of SIV: a hypothesis based on transmission studies and the location of SIV in the genital tract of chronically infected female rhesus macaques

J Med Primatol. 1992 Feb-May;21(2-3):64-8.

Abstract

To understand the biologic processes involved in transmission of HIV, we examined the genital tracts of chronically infected female macaques and localized SIV-infected cells. SIV was found in the genital tract of 12 of 16 animals and SIV-infected cells were located in the cervix and vagina. Inoculation of cell-free SIV into the blind vaginal pouch of hysterectomized macaques resulted in systemic infection. We propose a hypothesis to explain the early events in the genital transmission of SIV.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cervix Uteri / microbiology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Genitalia, Female / microbiology*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Macaca mulatta*
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / transmission*
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / isolation & purification*
  • Vagina / microbiology
  • Viremia / veterinary

Substances

  • RNA, Viral