Analysis of the V1V2 region of the SIV envelope in the brains of morphine-dependent and control SIV/SHIV-infected macaques.

Six morphine-dependent and three control macaques were infected with a mixture of SIV/SHIV. Half of the animals in the morphine group developed accelerated disease (rapid progressor) and died within 20 weeks postinfection. The evolution of the envelope gene in the brain of the rapid progressor and morphine-dependent group along with that in the control group was assessed.