Animal models of human immunodeficiency virus infection. Public Health Service Animal Models Committee.

The search for a model of HIV infection continues. While much of the initial work focussed on animal models of AIDS, more recent efforts have sought animal models of HIV infection in which one or more signs of AIDS may be reproduced. Most initial small animal modelling efforts were negative and many such efforts remain unpublished.

Protective and toxic effects of a nuclease-resistant derivative of polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid on Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus in rhesus monkeys.

Polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid, stabilized with poly-L-lysine and carboxymethylcellulose (poly ICLC), favorably alters the pathogenesis of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus infection in rhesus monkeys by decreasing the number of infected monkey that become detectably viremic and by delaying the onset of viremia in the remaining monkeys. Poly ICLC is known to induce high circulating levels of interferon in primates, and the interferon system is assumed to be the mechanism by which poly ICLC exerts its antiviral effect. Poly ICLC treatment was associated with a few deaths, but only under certain conditions of infection and handling.

Studies of the coagulation system and blood pressure during experimental Bolivian hemorrhagic fever in rhesus monkeys.

Experimental infection of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) with Machupo virus produced a hemorrhagic disease similar to that of Bolivian hemorrhagic fever in humans. The disease in infected animals was also characterized by the development of hypotension and coagulation abnormalities as indicated by severe thrombocytopenia and prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time. Evidence for disseminated intravascular coagulation was inconclusive due to the presence of normal to elevated fibrinogen levels, relatively low levels of circulating fibrin split products, and the lack of widespread fibrin thrombus deposition.