Development of a rectal sexually transmitted infection--HIV coinfection model utilizing Chlamydia trachomatis and SHIVSF162p3.
BACKGROUND
Rectal sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may increase HIV susceptibility in men who have sex with men (MSM), and Chlamydia trachomatis is prevalent among HIV-positive MSM. To study STIs and HIV infection in MSM, we first evaluated whether cynomolgus macaques can sustain both C. trachomatis and SHIVSF162p3 infections.


METHODS
Four SHIVSF162p3 -positive male cynomolgus macaques were used (n = 3 rectally inoculated with 10(6) IFU; n = 1 control). Systemic and rectal SHIV RNA levels and cytokines were measured by real-time PCR and Luminex assays, respectively.


RESULTS
Macaques were successfully Chlamydia infected. Rectal SHIV shedding (P = 0.02 χ(2) ) and levels of G-CSF, IL-1ra, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ, and TNF-α (P ≤ 0.01, Mann-Whitney) in rectal secretions increased following infection.


CONCLUSIONS
These pilot data successfully demonstrate rectal C. trachomatis-SHIV coinfection in cynomolgus macaques and suggest the feasibility of a rectal C. trachomatis model for SHIV susceptibility and biomedical prevention studies in the context of rectal STIs.
Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Tara
T
Henning
Katherine
K
Butler
James
J
Mitchell
Shanon
S
Ellis
Frank
F
Deyounks
Carol
C
Farshy
Christi
C
Phillips
John
J
Papp
Dorothy
D
Patton
Harlan
H
Caldwell
Gail
G
Sturdevant
Janet
J
McNicholl
Ellen
E
Kersh
D000818:Animals; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D060085:Coinfection; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012007:Rectum / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D016097:Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus; D017201:Virus Shedding
D016207:Cytokines; D012367:RNA, Viral
STD; men who have sex with men