title: Reverse transcriptase and corresponding activity-blocking antibody for monitoring SIVsm infection in macaques.
abstract: A nonradioactive reverse transcriptase (RT) assay was used to measure RT activity in serum during the viremia peak associated with primary infection and for measuring the generation and maintenance of RT activity-blocking antibody (RTb-ab) titers during and after seroconversion in SIV-infected macaques. The RT assay was compared to an antigen capture immunoassay designed for HIV-2/SIVsm and was found to be approximately 40 times more sensitive in detecting SIVsm in serum from infected macaques. The RT assay detected RT activity in serum corresponding to levels from 3 pg/ml. Earliest detection of viral replication using the RT assay was on day 6-8, with a peak at day 10 (up to 8000 pg/ml). The earliest detection of RTb-ab was seen on day 17-23, with established RTb-ab titers by day 29, followed by increasing titers of 15,000-120,000 by day 62-77. The usefulness of RT and RTb-ab for monitoring the course of SIV infection in monkey models is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Genetics, Uppsala University, BMC, Sweden.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Ekstrand
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Böttiger
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Gronowitz
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Clas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019138:Antibodies, Blocking / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000276:immunology; D007118:Immunoassay; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D051379:Mice; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016097:Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000821:virology*; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D014766:Viremia / Q000821:virology; D054301:gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
chemical_list: D019138:Antibodies, Blocking; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D015488:HIV Antigens; D007527:Isoenzymes; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D054301:gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; C065558:gag protein p26, Human immunodeficiency virus; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase