SIVRCM INFECTION OF MACAQUES

In a prior report, we described the isolation and characterization of SIVrcm, a distinct primate lentivirus found in a household pet Red-Cap ped Mangabey (RCM) in Gabon. SIVrcm is divergent from HIV-1 and HIV-2/ SIV families of primate lentiviruses. In this report, additional in vi tro replication studies and the results of SIVrcm infection in macaque s are presented. SIVrcm causes little cytopathic effedct in Molt 4 Clo ne 8 cells and in rhesus and human PBMCs. In vivo, SIVrcm is non-patho genic after 200 days in rhesus macaques and after one year in cynomolg ous macaques, but does cause a chronic infection in both macaques.