SIVAGM INCIDENCE OVER 2 DECADES IN A NATURAL-POPULATION OF ETHIOPIAN GRIVET MONKEYS (CERCOPITHECUS-AETHIOPS AETHIOPS)

The incidence of SIVagm seropositivity in a natural population of Ethi opian grivet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops aethiops) is investigated using plasma samples collected in 1973, and shown to be similar to th at reported from tile same population in 1990-91. Results tend to supp ort our previous conclusions: endemic SIVagm has little or no impact o n the survival of wild grivet monkeys, and the virus is transmitted al most always by sexual contact, occasionally by trauma, and rarely if e ver maternally Small differences between 1973 and 1990-93 suggest that the stress sa of drought years may raise the incidence of traumatic t ransmission, and temporarily depress transmission by sexual activity, in this population.