       Document 0082
 DOCN  M9460082
 TI    Pathology and localization of simian immunodeficiency virus in the
       reproductive tract of chronically infected male rhesus macaques.
 DT    9404
 AU    Miller CJ; Vogel P; Alexander NJ; Dandekar S; Hendrickx AG; Marx PA;
       California Regional Primate Research Center, Department of; Veterinary
       Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of; Veterinary Medicine,
       University of California, Davis.
 SO    Lab Invest. 1994 Feb;70(2):255-62. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/94187353
 AB    BACKGROUND: Despite the fact that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is
       transmitted by sexual contact, the biology of this mode of transmission
       remains largely undefined. HIV is present in semen in both cell-free and
       cell-associated forms and can be isolated from asymptomatic individuals
       and AIDS patients. The source of HIV in semen and the target cells for
       HIV transmission to men are unknown. Epidemiologic studies have shown
       that in men, the presence of an intact foreskin is associated with
       increased risk of HIV infection. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The reproductive
       tracts from 13 chronically simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected
       adult male rhesus macaques were examined for this study. Routine
       histologic examination was undertaken to characterize the reproductive
       tract pathology. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were
       used to localize SIV-infected cells and determine the immunophenotype of
       inflammatory infiltrates. RESULTS: SIV-infected cells (macrophages, T
       cells) were found at all levels of the reproductive tract and were
       commonly associated with inflammatory lesions. Infected cells were found
       most consistently in the epididymis. In one animal, SIV-infected cells
       (presumably Langerhans cells) were present in the stratified squamous
       epithelium of the foreskin. Testicular atrophy and degeneration were
       relatively common findings. The most common lesion in the accessory
       glands was mild lymphocytic inflammation. In addition, atrophy of the
       glandular elements and interstitial fibrosis in the prostate gland were
       found. One animal had a granulomatous epididymitis with multinucleate
       giant cells that may have been a primary SIV lesion. CONCLUSIONS: The
       reproductive tract pathology in chronically SIV-infected male rhesus
       macaques and AIDS patients is similar. SIV-infected cells can be found
       at all levels of the male rhesus macaque reproductive tract and SIV can
       infect cells in the mucosal epithelium of the foreskin. This latter
       finding indicates that target cells for HIV transmission may be present
       in the foreskin epithelium of uncircumcised men.
 DE    Animal  Disease Models, Animal  Genitalia, Male/*MICROBIOLOGY/PATHOLOGY
       Immunophenotyping  Macaca mulatta  Male  Simian Acquired
       Immunodeficiency Syndrome/MICROBIOLOGY/*PATHOLOGY/  TRANSMISSION
       Spleen/MICROBIOLOGY  Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  Support, U.S. Gov't,
       Non-P.H.S.  Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.  SIV/*ISOLATION & PURIF  JOURNAL
       ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

