Effects of chronic zidovudine administration on CNS function and virus burden after perinatal SIV infection in rhesus monkeys.
Continuous intravenous administration of zidovudine (AZT) has been reported to improve cognitive function in HIV-infected pediatric patients (Pizzo et al., 1988). The effects of long-term zidovudine treatment in the perinatally infected pediatric population, including antiviral efficacy and effects on cognitive and motor function has not been systematically examined. These questions were addressed in rhesus macaque infants infected at birth with SIVSMM/B670, a primate model for infantile HIV infection and disease (Eiden et al., 1993a). Continuous or intermittent administration of AZT during the first 6 months following infection resulted in about a doubling of lifespan, a delay in the occurrence of motor impairment, and lower virus burden and quinolinic acid levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) following administration of the antiviral drug.
Rausch
D M
DM
Section on Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
Heyes
M
M
Eiden
L E
LE
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D003071:Cognition; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D009043:Motor Activity; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D017378:Quinolinic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D016097:Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000821:virology; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D015215:Zidovudine; D017378:Quinolinic Acid