Pneumocystis colonization in immunocompetent and simian immunodeficiency virus-infected cynomolgus macaques.

ABSTRACT: Pneumocystis (Pc) colonization is common among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected subjects, although the clinical consequences of Pc carriage are not fully understood. We examined the frequency of asymptomatic carriage in healthy and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected cynomolgus macaques by use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and assessment of changes in the serologic response to a recombinant fragment of the Pc protein kexin (KEX1). Anti-KEX1 antibodies were detected in 95% of healthy monkeys. To create a model of natural transmission of Pc, SIV-infected monkeys were cohoused with macaques coinfected with SIV and Pc. Pc colonization occurred when the CD4(+) T cell count decreased to <500 cells/microL, despite anti-Pc prophylaxis with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. In

SUBMITTER: Kling HM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2622722 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature