UW researchers find new AIDS test animal

by Columns Staff | September 1, 1992

Scientists at the UW Regional Primate Center reported in June that they have discovered a new animal model to use in the fight against AIDS.

They found that the pigtailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina) is susceptible to infection by the HIV-1 virus. Until recently, the only available animals that were thought susceptible to HIV-1 were chimpanzees and gibbons, which are both endangered species.

Commenting on the breakthrough, one UW researcher likened the results to a baseball team winning 100 games in a row.

In the study, Dr. Michael Agy and colleagues at the primate center inoculated eight pigtailed macaques with the virus, and all eight became infected. Studies are now underway to determine if the animals will display persistent infection and disease. Should this occur, the pigtailed macaque (pronounced ma-KAK) will be an important tool for scientists working in AIDS research.

The pigtailed macaque is not an endangered species and is plentiful in the wild. In addition, the UW maintains breeding colonies of the animals at its primate center in Medical Lake and is setting up two colonies in Indonesia. If the animals become an acceptable model, comparative studies can be made of test vaccines using larger numbers of animals.

“One should also be able to study the effects of early HIV infection and factors that affect the acquisition of infection,” says UW Medicine Professor Lawrence Corey.