Optic nerve morphometry following axonal degeneration from SAIDS in rhesus monkeys.
In order to further study AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) related neuropathologic findings, specifically progressive diffuse leuko-encephalopathy (PDL) and optic neuropathy, ten macaque monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), observed for varying periods, and then sacrificed and tissue prepared for analysis. A marked difference from human AIDS pathology was found: in all monkeys, there was significant peripheral axonal dropout, as opposed to relatively little dropout in the central areas of the nerves (t stat. = -5.9, p < .001). In those monkeys infected with SIV for over one year, the axonal loss in the periphery was also greater than in the central optic nerve (t stat. = -5.03, p < .001); monkeys infected with SIV for less than one year had slightly less peripheral than central loss (t stat. = -4.5, p = .001). When compared with humans, however, it was found that the overall loss of axons was less (15% in monkeys vs. up to 45% in humans). There was also a lack of discernible retinal pathology, such as cotton wool spots, in the monkey tissue.
Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90033.
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Wurdeman
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Rao
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Tenhula
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Foote
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Sadun
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000473:pathology*; D002452:Cell Count; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007968:Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D009410:Nerve Degeneration; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000473:pathology*; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D016097:Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000473:pathology; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus