Inoculation Of Macaques Research Articles

Epstein-Barr Virus gp350 Can Functionally Replace the Rhesus Lymphocryptovirus Major Membrane Glycoprotein and Does Not Restrict Infection of Rhesus Macaques.

Primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis, and persistent infection is associated with multiple cancers. EBV vaccine development has focused on the major membrane glycoprotein, gp350, since it is the major target for antibodies that neutralize infection of B cells. However, EBV has tropism for both B cells and epithelial cells, and it is unknown whether serum neutralizing antibodies against B cell infection will provide sufficient protection against virus infection initiated at the oral mucosa. This could be stringently tested by passive antibody transfer and oral virus challenge in the rhesus macaque model for EBV infection. However, only neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against EBV are available, and EBV is unable to infect rhesus macaques because of a host range restriction with an unknown mechanism. We cloned the prototypic EBV-neutralizing antibody, 72A1, and found that recombinant 72A1 did not neutralize rhesus lymphocryptovirus (rhLCV) infection of macaque B cells. Therefore, we constructed a chimeric rhLCV in which the native major membrane glycoprotein was replaced with EBV gp350. This chimeric rhLCV became sensitive to neutralization by the 72A1 MAb, efficiently immortalized macaque B cells in vitro, and successfully established acute and persistent infection after oral inoculation of rhesus macaques. Thus, EBV gp350 can functionally replace rhLCV gp350 and does not restrict rhLCV infection in vitro or in vivo. The chimeric rhLCV enables direct use of an EBV-specific MAb to investigate the effects of serum neutralizing antibodies against B cell infection on oral viral challenge in rhesus macaques. This study asked whether the EBV major membrane glycoprotein could functionally replace the rhLCV major membrane glycoprotein. We found that an rhLCV humanized with EBV gp350 is capable of efficiently immortalizing monkey B cells in vitro and reproduces acute and persistent infection after oral inoculation of macaques. These results advance our understanding of why EBV cannot infect rhesus macaques by proving that viral attachment through gp350 is not the mechanism for EBV host range restriction. Humanization of rhLCV with EBV gp350 also confers susceptibility to a potent EBV-neutralizing MAb and provides a novel and significant enhancement to the rhesus macaque animal model where both the clinical utility and biological role of neutralizing MAbs against B cell or epithelial cell infection can now be directly tested in the most accurate animal model for EBV infection.

Poxvirus Antigen Staining of Immune Cells as a Biomarker to Predict Disease Outcome in Monkeypox and Cowpox Virus Infection in Non-Human Primates

Infection of non-human primates (NHPs) such as rhesus and cynomolgus macaques with monkeypox virus (MPXV) or cowpox virus (CPXV) serve as models to study poxvirus pathogenesis and to evaluate vaccines and anti-orthopox therapeutics. Intravenous inoculation of macaques with high dose of MPXV (>1–2×107 PFU) or CPXV (>102 PFU) results in 80% to 100% mortality and 66 to 100% mortality respectively. Here we report that NHPs with positive detection of poxvirus antigens in immune cells by flow cytometric staining, especially in monocytes and granulocytes succumbed to virus infection and that early positive pox staining is a strong predictor for lethality. Samples from four independent studies were analyzed. Eighteen NHPs from three different experiments were inoculated with two different MPXV strains at lethal doses. Ten NHPs displayed positive pox-staining and all 10 NHPs reached moribund endpoint. In contrast, none of the three NHPs that survived anticipated lethal virus dose showed apparent virus staining in the monocytes and granulocytes. In addition, three NHPs that were challenged with a lethal dose of MPXV and received cidofovir treatment were pox-antigen negative and all three NHPs survived. Furthermore, data from a CPXV study also demonstrated that 6/9 NHPs were pox-antigen staining positive and all 6 NHPs reached euthanasia endpoint, while the three survivors were pox-antigen staining negative. Thus, we conclude that monitoring pox-antigen staining in immune cells can be used as a biomarker to predict the prognosis of virus infection. Future studies should focus on the mechanisms and implications of the pox-infection of immune cells and the correlation between pox-antigen detection in immune cells and disease progression in human poxviral infection.

Heterogeneity in Neutralization Sensitivities of Viruses Comprising the Simian Immunodeficiency Virus SIVsmE660 Isolate and Vaccine Challenge Stock

The sooty mangabey-derived simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) strain E660 (SIVsmE660) is a genetically heterogeneous, pathogenic isolate that is commonly used as a vaccine challenge strain in the nonhuman primate (NHP) model of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. Though it is often employed to assess antibody-based vaccine strategies, its sensitivity to antibody-mediated neutralization has not been well characterized. Here, we utilize single-genome sequencing and infectivity assays to analyze the neutralization sensitivity of the uncloned SIVsmE660 isolate, individual viruses comprising the isolate, and transmitted/founder (T/F) viruses arising from low-dose mucosal inoculation of macaques with the isolate. We found that the SIVsmE660 isolate overall was highly sensitive to neutralization by SIV-infected macaque plasma samples (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] < 10(-5)) and monoclonal antibodies targeting V3 (IC50 < 0.01 μg/ml), CD4-induced (IC50 < 0.1 μg/ml), CD4 binding site (IC50 ~ 1 μg/ml), and V4 (IC50, ~5 μg/ml) epitopes. In comparison, SIVmac251 and SIVmac239 were highly resistant to neutralization by these same antibodies. Differences in neutralization sensitivity between SIVsmE660 and SIVmac251/239 were not dependent on the cell type in which virus was produced or tested. These findings indicate that in comparison to SIVmac251/239 and primary HIV-1 viruses, SIVsmE660 generally exhibits substantially less masking of antigenically conserved Env epitopes. Interestingly, we identified a minor population of viruses (~10%) in both the SIVsmE660 isolate and T/F viruses arising from it that were substantially more resistant (>1,000-fold) to antibody neutralization and another fraction (~20%) that was intermediate in neutralization resistance. These findings may explain the variable natural history and variable protection afforded by heterologous Env-based vaccines in rhesus macaques challenged by high-dose versus low-dose SIVsmE660 inoculation regimens.

Cowpox virus infection of cynomolgus macaques as a model of hemorrhagic smallpox

Hemorrhagic smallpox was a rare but severe manifestation of variola virus infection that resulted in nearly 100% mortality. Here we describe intravenous (IV) inoculation of cowpox virus Brighton Red strain in cynomolgus macaques ( Macaca fascicularis) which resulted in disease similar in presentation to hemorrhagic smallpox in humans. IV inoculation of macaques resulted in a uniformly lethal disease within 12 days post-inoculation in two independent experiments. Clinical observations and hematological and histopathological findings support hemorrhagic disease. Cowpox virus replicated to high levels in blood (8.0–9.0 log 10 gene copies/mL) and tissues including lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, bone marrow, and lungs. This unique model of hemorrhagic orthopoxvirus infection provides an accessible means to further study orthopoxvirus pathogenesis and to identify virus-specific and nonspecific therapies. Such studies will serve to complement the existing nonhuman primate models of more classical poxviral disease.

A Limited Number of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) env Variants Are Transmitted to Rhesus Macaques Vaginally Inoculated with SIVmac251

Single-genome amplification (SGA) and sequencing of HIV-1 RNA in plasma of acutely infected humans allows the identification and enumeration of transmitted/founder viruses responsible for productive systemic infection. Use of this strategy as a means for identifying transmitted viruses suggested that intrarectal simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) inoculation of macaques recapitulates key features of human rectal infection. However, no studies have used the SGA strategy to identify vaginally transmitted virus(es) in macaques or to determine how early SIV diversification in vaginally infected animals compares with HIV-1 in humans. We used SGA to amplify 227 partial env sequences from a SIVmac251 challenge stock and from seven rhesus macaques at the earliest plasma viral RNA-positive time point after low- and high-dose intravaginal inoculation. Sequences were analyzed phylogenetically to determine the relationship of transmitted/founder viruses within and between each animal and the challenge stock. In each animal, discrete low-diversity env sequence lineages were evident, and these coalesced phylogenetically to identical or near-identical env sequences in the challenge stock, thus confirming the validity of the SGA sequencing and modeling strategy for identifying vaginally transmitted SIV. Between 1 and 10 viruses were responsible for systemic infection, similar to humans infected by sexual contact, and the set of viruses transmitted to the seven animals studied represented the full genetic constellation of the challenge stock. These findings recapitulate many of the features of sexual HIV-1 transmission in women. Furthermore, the SIV rhesus macaque model can be used to understand the factors that influence the transmission of single versus multiple SIV variants.

Correction of a carboxyl terminal simian immunodeficiency virus Nef frameshift mutation restores virus replication in macaques.

Previous studies demonstrated that the nef gene is a critical determinant of the pathogenicity of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in macaques. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of a spontaneous frameshift mutation in the C-terminus of the nef gene of the minimally pathogenic SIVsmH4i clone. This clone exhibited a single nucleotide deletion in the nef gene relative to pathogenic SIV clones that resulted in a frameshift and addition of 46 amino acids to the C-terminus of Nef. We generated a corrected version of this clone, SIVsmH4i Nef+ that restored Nef protein expression. Inoculation of macaques with SIVsmH4i resulted in delayed and low levels of peak viremia. This contrasted with improved kinetics and robust peak viremia in macaques inoculated with the corrected version. Despite the restoration of in vivo replication ability, neither clone resulted in memory CD4+ T cell loss or disease in a period of two years.

A Rapid Progressor-Specific Variant Clone of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Replicates Efficiently In Vivo Only in the Absence of Immune Reponses

A subset of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected macaques progresses rapidly to disease with transient SIV-specific immune responses and high viral loads. Unique SIV variants with convergent Env mutations evolve in these rapid progressor (RP) macaques. To address the pathogenic significance of RP-specific variants, we generated infectious molecular clones from the terminal-phase plasma of an RP macaque. Inoculation of macaques with a representative clone, SIVsmH635FC, resulted in a persistent viremia, comparable to that produced by pathogenic SIVsmE543-3, and a chronic disease with progressive loss of CD4(+) T cells. However, SIVsmH635FC did not reproduce the rapid-disease phenomenon. Molecular analyses of viruses from these macaques revealed rapid reversion to the wild-type SIVsmE543-3 sequence at two RP-specific sites and slower reversion at another three sites. SIVsmH635FC infection was not sufficient to cause rapid progression even following coinoculation with SIVsmE543-3, despite acute depletion of memory CD4(+) T cells. SIVsmH635FC competed efficiently during primary infection in the coinoculated macaques, but SIVsmE543-3 predominated after the development of SIV-specific immune responses. These data suggest that the replication fitness of the RP variant was similar to that of SIVsmE543-3 in a naïve host; however, SIVsmH635FC was at a disadvantage following the development of SIV-specific immune responses. Consistent with these findings, neutralization assays revealed that SIVsmH635FC was highly sensitive to neutralization but that the parental SIVsmE543-3 strain was highly resistant. This study suggests that the evolution of RP-specific variants is the result of replication in a severely immunocompromised host, rather than the direct cause of rapid progression.

Neurovirulence properties of recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus vectors in non-human primates

Although vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) neurovirulence and pathogenicity in rodents have been well studied, little is known about VSV pathogenicity in non-human primates. To address this question, we measured VSV viremia, shedding, and neurovirulence in macaques. Following intranasal inoculation, macaques shed minimal recombinant VSV (rVSV) in nasal washes for 1 day post-inoculation; viremia was not detected. Following intranasal inoculation of macaques, wild type (wt) VSV, rVSV, and two rVSV-HIV vectors showed no evidence of spread to CNS tissues. However, macaques inoculated intrathalamically with wt VSV developed severe neurological disease. One of four macaques receiving rVSV developed clinical and histological signs similar to the wt group, while the remaining three macaques in this group and all of the macaques in the rVSV-HIV vector groups showed no clinical signs of disease and reduced severity of histopathology compared to the wt group. The implications of these findings for rVSV vaccine development are discussed.

Scrambling of the amino acids within the transmembrane domain of Vpu results in a simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV TM) that is less pathogenic for pig-tailed macaques

Previous studies have shown that the transmembrane (TM) domain of the subtype B Vpu enhances virion release from cells and some studies have shown that this domain may form an oligomeric structure with properties of an ion channel. To date, no studies have been performed to assess the role of this domain in virus pathogenesis in a macaque model of disease. Using a pathogenic molecular clone of simian human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV KU-1bMC33), we have generated a novel virus in which the transmembrane domain of the Vpu protein was scrambled but maintained hydrophobic in nature (SHIV TM), which presumably would disrupt any ion channel TM properties of this protein. Vectors expressing the Vpu as a fusion protein with the enhanced green fluorescent protein (Vpu TMEGFP) indicate that it was transported to the same intracellular compartment as the unmodified Vpu protein but did not down-regulate cell surface expression of CD4. To assess the pathogenicity of SHIV TM, three pig-tailed macaques were inoculated with the SHIV TM and monitored for 6–8 months for CD4 + T cell levels, viral loads and the stability of the sequence of the vpu gene. Our results indicated that unlike the parental SHIV KU-1bMC33, inoculation of macaques with SHIV TM did not cause a severe CD4 + T cell loss over the course of their infections. Sequence analysis of the vpu gene analyzed from sequential PBMC samples derived from macaques revealed that the scrambled TM was stable during the course of infection. At necropsy, examination of tissues revealed low viral loads and none of the pathology commonly observed in lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues following inoculation with the pathogenic parental SHIV KU-1bMC33 virus. Thus, these results show for the first time that the TM domain of Vpu contributes to the pathogenicity of SHIV KU-1bMC33 in pig-tailed macaques.

The ITAM in Nef influences acute pathogenesis of AIDS-inducing simian immunodeficiency viruses SIVsm and SIVagm without altering kinetics or extent of viremia.

The role of the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) that is unique to the Nef protein of the acutely pathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus SIVsmPBj was studied in the context of two AIDS-inducing simian immunodeficiency virus molecular clones. NefY(+) variants of SIVagm9063-2 and SIVsmE543-3 replicated in and induced proliferation of unstimulated pig-tailed macaque PBMC. The pathogenesis of the NefY(+) and NefY(-) clones of SIVagm9063-2, SIVsmE543-3, and PBj6.6 were evaluated by intravenous inoculation of pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina). Introduction of the ITAM did not increase plasma viral RNA levels nor alter the kinetics of viremia compared with the NefY(-) versions of each clone. Clinical symptoms were not observed in animals inoculated with the NefY(-) variants. In contrast, characteristic PBj symptoms were observed in animals inoculated with any of the three NefY(+) clones. Blunting and fusion of intestinal villi and multifocal infiltration of mononuclear cells were observed in the gastrointestinal tracts of macaques inoculated with the NefY(+) versions. Lesions were associated with active viral replication, as demonstrated by simian immunodeficiency virus-specific in situ hybridization. However, only the macaque inoculated with wild-type NefY(+) SIVsmPBj developed fatal disease; lesions were more widespread and severe in this animal. A switch to macrophages as a viral reservoir and the presence of interleukin-6 in plasma was unique to the macaque infected with PBj6.6. Overall, these data suggest that the ITAM in SIV Nef alters the pathogenesis of simian immunodeficiency virus regardless of the viral background. The change in pathogenesis occurs without enhancement of viral replication. However, NefY(+) variants of SIVagm and SIVsm did not fully recapitulate the virulence of SIVsmPBj, implicating additional viral factors in this unique virus pathogenesis.

Evidence of recombination between 3' and 5' LTRs in macaques inoculated with SIV DNA.

Proviral SIV DNA inoculation of macaques is an efficient method to initiate wild-type and attenuated SIV infections. However, we found that macaques inoculated with SIV DNA engineered to contain a single 105-bp deletion in the 3' nef/LTR overlap region had SIV sequences subsequently isolated that had partially or fully repaired the deletion with wild-type sequence. Animals inoculated with SIV DNA containing identical deletions in both the 5' and 3' LTRs did not repair the deletion. Recombination events occurred early, most likely by homologous recombination with sequences from the wild-type 5' LTR. This sequence analysis is the first demonstration of homologous recombination in vivo following administration of a single SIV strain.

Vaccination with attenuated simian immunodeficiency virus by DNA inoculation.

Delivering attenuated lentivirus vaccines as proviral DNA would be simple and inexpensive. Inoculation of macaques with wild-type simian immunodeficiency virus strain mac239 (SIV(mac239)) DNA or SIV(mac239) DNA containing a single deletion in the 3' nef-long terminal repeat overlap region (nef/LTR) led to sustained SIV infections and AIDS. Injection of SIV(mac239) DNA containing identical deletions in both the 5' LTR and 3' nef/LTR resulted in attenuated SIV infections and substantial protection against subsequent mucosal SIV(mac251) challenge.

Down-regulation of macaque gammadelta + T cells in lymphoid compartments after rectal infection with SIVsmmPBj14.

The dynamics of T cells expressing the gammadelta T-cell receptor in mucosae and other compartments during the course of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection are poorly understood. To examine the impact of an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome virus on the gammadelta + T-cell population, rectal inoculation of macaques with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-PBj14 was used as a model. After rectal inoculation, five macaques were sacrificed on days 4, 5, or 7 and then assessed for changes in the gammadelta T-cell receptor repertoire in different lymphoid compartments. There was decreased representation of gammadelta + T cells in the intestinal mucosae, blood, and spleens. Overall, the reduced number of total gammadelta + T cells was consistent with decreases in the Vgamma or Vdelta T-cell sub-populations. Nevertheless, there was no consistent deletion or expansion of a selected Vdelta + or Vdelta + cell sub-population. These results demonstrate that SIV-PBj14 replication and dissemination after mucosal inoculation resulted in a decline of detectable gammadelta + T cells, suggesting that macaque gammadelta + T cells are susceptible to down-regulation or destruction during acute SIV-PBj14 infection.

Rhesus macaques infected with macrophage-tropic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVmacR71/17E) exhibit extensive focal segmental and global glomerulosclerosis.

We previously showed that inoculation of rhesus macaques with molecularly cloned lymphocytetropic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVmac239) results in SIV-associated nephropathy (SIVAN) and that the glomerulosclerotic lesions were associated with the selection of macrophagetropic (M-tropic) variants (V. H. Gattone et al., AIDS Res. Hum. Retroviruses 14:1163-1180, 1998). In the present study, seven rhesus macaques were inoculated with M-tropic SIVmacR71/17E, and the renal pathology was examined at necropsy. All SIVmacR71/17E-infected macaques developed AIDS, and most developed other systemic complications, including SIV-induced encephalitis and lentivirus interstitial pneumonia. There was no correlation between the length of infection (42 to 97 days), circulating CD4(+) T-cell counts, and renal disease. Of the seven macaques inoculated with SIVmacR71/17E, five developed significant mesangial hyperplasia and expansion of matrix and four were clearly azotemic (serum urea nitrogen concentration of 40 to 112 mg/dl). These same five macaques developed focal segmental to global glomerulosclerotic lesions. Increased numbers of glomerular CD68(+) cells (monocytes/macrophages) were found in glomeruli but not the tubulointerstitium of the macaques inoculated with SIVmacR71/17E. All macaques had glomerular deposits of immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, and tubuloreticular inclusions, and six of seven had IgA deposition. However, there was no correlation between the presence of circulating anti-SIVmac antibodies, immunoglobulin deposition, and glomerular disease. Tubulointerstitial infiltrates were mild, with little or no correlation to azotemia, while microcystic tubules were evident in those with glomerulosclerosis or azotemia. The four most severely affected macaques were positive for diffuse glomerular immunostaining for viral core p27 antigen, and there was intense staining in the glomeruli of the two macaques with the most severe glomerulosclerosis. Viral sequences were isolated from glomerular and tubulointerstitial fractions from macaques with severe glomerulosclerosis but only from the tubulointerstitial compartment of those that did not develop glomerulosclerosis. Interviral recombinant viruses generated with env sequences isolated from glomeruli confirmed the M-tropic nature of the virus found in the glomeruli. The correlation between the increased number of CD68(+) cells (monocytes/macrophages) in the glomeruli, the localization of p27 antigen in the glomeruli, and the glomerular pathology confirms and extends our previous observations of an association between glomerular infection and infiltration by M-tropic virus and SIVAN.

Evasion of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses by nef-dependent induction of Fas ligand (CD95L) expression on simian immunodeficiency virus-infected cells.

Inoculation of macaques with live attenuated SIV strains has been shown to protect against subsequent challenge with wild-type SIV. The protective mechanism(s) remain obscure. To study the effect in more detail, we have investigated the role of virus-specific CTL responses in macaques infected with an attenuated SIV strain (pC8), which has a four-amino acid deletion in the nef gene, as compared with the wild-type SIVmac32H clone (pJ5). Cynomolgus macaques infected with pC8 were protected against subsequent challenge with pJ5 and did not develop any AIDS-like symptoms in the 12 months after infection. The pC8-induced protection was associated with high levels of virus-specific CTL responses to a variety of viral antigens. In contrast, pJ5-infected macaques had little, if any, detectable CTL response to the viral proteins after three months. The latter group of macaques also showed increased Fas expression and apoptotic cell death in both the CD4(+) and CD8(+) populations. In vitro, pJ5 but not pC8 leads to an increase in FasL expression on infected cells. Thus the expression of FasL may protect infected cells from CTL attack, killing viral-specific CTLs in the process, and providing a route for escaping the immune response, leading to the increased pathogenicity of pJ5. pC8, on the other hand does not induce FasL expression, allowing the development of a protective CTL response. Furthermore, interruption of the Fas-FasL interaction allows the regeneration of viral-specific CTL responses in pJ5-infected animals. This observation suggests an additional therapeutic approach to the treatment of AIDS.

SIV infection of macaques as a model for AIDS pathogenesis.

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of macaques is the best available animal model for studying the pathogenesis of AIDS. Experimental inoculation of macaques with SIV results in a persistent infection that leads to immunodeficiency, opportunistic infections, and death. Most aspects of the illness, including immunologic and virologic parameters, are easily quantified. Furthermore, pathologic processes can be evaluated throughout the course of experimental infection. Recently, molecular clones of SIV proviral DNA have been used to study genetic variation and specific viral determinants of pathogenesis. Considered together, these observations support the continued detailed study of SIV infection of macaques as a model for human AIDS.

Increased ratio of quinolinic acid to kynurenic acid in cerebrospinal fluid of D retrovirus—infected rhesus macaques: Relationship to clinical and viral status

Increased concentrations of excitotoxin quinolinic acid in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are associated with infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) dementia complex. In the present study, inoculation of macaques with D/1/California, an immunosuppressive serotype 1 type D retrovirus, was associated with acute and chronic increases in CSF and serum quinolinic acid concentrations in macaques that had developed SAIDS, a simian disease analogous to AIDS in humans--particularly macaques with demonstrable opportunistic infections. Kynurenic acid, an antagonist of excitatory amino acid receptors as well as the excitotoxic effects of quinolinic acid, was also increased in the CSF of SAIDS macaques, but to a significantly lesser degree than was quinolinic acid (kynurenic acid, 1.8-fold; quinolinic acid, 15.6-fold). CSF quinolinic acid, but not kynurenic acid, was also increased in viremic macaques with SAIDS-related complex (2.4-fold) and asymptomatic virus positive carriers (3.4-fold). Macaques that had recovered from D/1/California infection and were antibody positive and virus negative had normal CSF quinolinic acid and kynurenic acid concentrations. Increased activity of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase, the first enzyme of the kynurenine pathway, was indicated in the macaques with SAIDS by reduced serum L-tryptophan and elevated serum L-kynurenine concentrations. Macaques infected with D/1/California may provide a primate model for investigation of the mechanisms involved in increases in CSF quinolinic acid in retrovirus and other infectious diseases, including HIV-1. It remains to be determined whether the increased CSF quinolinic acid concentrations and the increased ratio of quinolinic acid to kynurenic acid have neurological significance or are a useful "marker" of infection.