title: Preparation and maintenance of SCID-hu mice for HIV research.
abstract: The SCID-hu mouse bearing a functional human thymic implant can be easily infected with HIV. Infection results in virus replication and relatively rapid depletion of CD4+ human thymocytes, resulting in a pathologic profile similar to that seen in the thymus of HIV-infected humans. The use of the SCID-hu model for HIV research requires protection of the animals from opportunistic infections and protection of the operators from human pathogens. This discussion describes reliable methods of animal care and surgical procedures to meet these needs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Bristol
authors.forename: L Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Zack
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D002678:Chimera; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005856:Germ-Free Life; D006678:HIV / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D016513:Mice, SCID; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation / Q000821:virology