Clinical and pathologic findings in infant rhesus macaques infected with SIVsmm by maternal transmission.

Three of 12 infant rhesus macaques became infected at 9 to 12 months of age with SIVsmm through maternal-infant transmission. Clinical problems seen in one or more infants included decreased CD4 cells, hypergammaglobulinemia, diarrhea, weight loss, anemia, bacterial infections, and terminal respiratory and CNS problems. Gross and histologic lesions due to both primary SIV infection and opportunistic infections were observed. The SIV-infected infants had clinical, immunologic, and pathologic similarities to those seen in pediatric HIV infection.