Evidence for dual infection of rabbits with the human retroviruses HTLV-I and HIV-1.
Rabbits experimentally infected with HTLV-I and HIV-1 produced antibody to various viral proteins, and viral DNA could be detected by gene amplification using the polymerase chain reaction. HTLV-I genes were detected in cell lines derived from infected rabbits, and in some cases, both HIV-1 and HTLV-I DNA sequences were demonstrated in peripheral blood cells taken from rabbits one year after experimental infection. The polymerase chain reaction procedure was used to demonstrate the presence of HTLV-I gag, env and tax genes and HIV-1 gag and env genes. The amplified fragments were identified by size and by hybridization to specific probes. The ability of rabbits to support simultaneous infection with HTLV-I and HIV-1 will allow in vivo studies of the possible synergistic effects of these important human pathogens.
Laboratory of Immunogenetics, NIAID, Bethesda, MD 20892.
M E
ME
Truckenmiller
H
H
Kulaga
E
E
Gugel
D
D
Dickerson
T J
TJ
Kindt
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D000818:Animals; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005784:Gene Amplification; D005814:Genes, Viral; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics; D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000235:genetics; D011817:Rabbits
D004279:DNA, Viral; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies