Origins of simian immunodeficiency virus infection in macaques at the New England Regional Primate Research Center.

Abstract

A cohort of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), obtained from the California Regional Primate Research Center (CRPRC) and necropsied in 1970-72 with lesions suggestive of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection, was identified at the New England Regional Primate Research Center (NERPRC). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA sequence analysis, and in situ hybridization were used to confirm the presence of SIV nucleic acids. This represents the earliest case of SIV infection at the NERPRC and suggests a common source for present day SIV isolates.