Document 3154
 DOCN  M94A3154
 TI    Role of mycoplasma in SIV infection of rhesus macaques.
 DT    9412
 AU    Bahraoui E; Kovacic R; Canarelli S; Guetard D; Hurtrel B; Blanchard A;
       Montagnier L; URA 1455 CNRS, Marseille.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):140 (abstract no. PA0181). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94369421
 AB    OBJECTIVE: Here, using rhesus macaque as a model, we investigated the
       susceptibility of these animals to mycoplasma infection and the role of
       Mycoplasma penetrans, Mycoplasma pirum and Mycoplasma fermentans in
       simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) replication and pathogenicity.
       MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rhesus macaques were used for infection with
       mycoplasma alone, SIV alone, both mycoplasma and SIV naive and immunized
       animals against various mycoplasma antigens. Blood samples were drawn
       every two or three days post infection, and then each 4 weeks, for the
       evaluation of SIV P27 antigenemia and PBMC PCR. Specific humoral
       responses against SIV and mycoplasma were assessed by Western blot (WB)
       and radioimmunoassays (RIA). RESULTS: Here we show, using PCR, WB and
       RIA assays, the susceptibility of rhesus macaques to Mycoplasma
       fermentans infection, thus making rhesus macaques a valuable model for
       the study of the effect of mycoplasma infection on the development of
       SIV pathogenicity. All three groups of macaques immunized with M.
       penetrans, M. pirum and M. fermentans antigens produced high titers of
       specific antibodies. These three groups of animals are now challenged
       with 10 MID50 (monkey infectious doses) of SIVmac251 and will be
       regularly assessed, in comparison with non-immunized macaques, by PBMC
       coculture, PBMC PCR for SIV and mycoplasma detection, plasma SIV P27,
       antibody levels and clinical signs. CONCLUSION: Although this study is
       too early to make definitive conclusions, the comparison of virological
       parameters and the kinetics of the evolution of this disease in the
       macaques immunized or not against mycoplasma antigens will assess the
       potential therapeutic benefit of this vaccination.
 DE    Animal  Antibodies, Viral/BLOOD  Antigens, Viral/BLOOD  Blotting,
       Western  Lymphocytes/MICROBIOLOGY  Macaca mulatta  *Mycoplasma
       *Mycoplasma fermentans  Mycoplasma Infections/*COMPLICATIONS  Polymerase
       Chain Reaction  Radioimmunoassay  Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency
       Syndrome/*COMPLICATIONS  SIV/ISOLATION &
       PURIF/*PHYSIOLOGY/*PATHOGENICITY  *Virus Replication  MEETING ABSTRACT

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