SEXUAL TRANSMISSION OF SIV(AGM) IN WILD GRIVET MONKEYS

This study reports the prevalence of simian immunodeficiency virus and the relationship of serostatus to age and sex among a wild population of Ethiopian grivet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops aethiops). Seropo sitivity paralleled patterns of sexual activity, being nearly universa l in females of reproductive age, and absent in all males except those that were fully adult. One female seroconverted between two capture s easons at an age consistent with first breeding. Our findings support a predominantly sexual mode of transmission among SIV(agm) infected gr ivets.