title: Using nonhuman primates to model HIV transmission.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  One of the major obstacles in fully understanding HIV transmission comes from the impracticality of studying transmission in humans. Because of this encumbrance, the early phases of HIV transmission and systemic dissemination are poorly understood. In order to fully comprehend these critical steps in HIV infection, animal models must be devised to accurately reflect HIV's mode of action. This review seeks to highlight the essential nature of modelling HIV transmission in nonhuman primates (NHPs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recently, it was discovered that HIV infection is established in newly infected recipients by a single or few transmitted/founder variants. This has reshaped how animal modelling is conducted with researchers currently recapitulating a physiologically relevant, low-titre infection. Pertinent animal models have been established for the most common routes of infection, including rectal, vaginal and penile transmission; models for intravenous and oral transmission are still in developmental stages.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These limited dose models now accurately reflect HIV transmission in humans and provide a realistic experimental platform for vaccine development and other intervention strategies that can be used to inform vaccine development in humans. Using information obtained in NHP and human trials, it is conceivable to envision effective prevention modalities in the near future.
authors.affiliation: AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, USA.
authors.forename: Christine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Fennessey
authors.forename: Brandon F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Keele
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004848:Epithelium / Q000821:virology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008251:Macaca; D016097:Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*