AIDS and optic neuritis in a rhesus monkey infected with the R5 clade C SHIV-1157ipd3N4

• Authors: Anapatricia Garcia, Emory University; Nagadenahalli B. Siddappa, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Qingsheng Li, University of Minnesota; Ashley T. Haase, University of Minnesota; Katherine Paul, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Fawn C Connor-Stroud, Emory University; Xiaodong Zhang, Emory University; A Jack Fountain Jr., Emory University; Francois Villinger, Emory University; Francis J. Novembre, Emory University; James Else, Emory University; W. Evan Secor, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Ruth M. Ruprecht, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
• Journal Title: Journal of Medical Primatology
• Volume: Volume 39, Number 5
• Publisher: Wiley: 12 months | 2010-10, Pages 356-360
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0684.2010.00416.x
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Pathology
• Keywords: R5 SHIV; neuroAIDS; optic neuropathy

Abstract

A Chinese rhesus macaque infected with the pathogenic CCR5-tropic clade C simian-human immunodeficiency virus, SHIV-1157ipd3N4, had persistent viremia, depletion of CD4+ T cells to <200 cells/μl, opportunistic infections, coagulopathy and gradual development of bilateral blindness. MRI revealed marked thickening of both optic nerves. Histopathological evaluation showed diffuse cellular infiltration at necropsy, and a focus of infected cells. This is the first report of CNS pathology following chronic infection with an obligate R5 SHIV.