ATLA::Alternatives to Laboratory Animals

Volume 23, Number 5

Chimpanzees in AIDS research.

ATLA 23, 598-606, September/October 1995

Lester Y. Ichinose

National Anti-vivisection Society, 1924 Grant Street, Evanston, IL 60201, USA

SUMMARY

Although the chimpanzee displays an immunological response to an HIV-1 challenge, it is a deficient animal model in AIDS research since it never develops the progressive symptoms of the disease. The continued use of the chimpanzee is also precluded because of its endangered status in the wild, the high cost per animal, and its failure to exhibit a CD4 decline (apoptosis) while infected. However, it is likely that the chimpanzee model will continue to be used in investigations relating to the epidemiology and mucosal transmission of the human AIDS virus.

Keywords: AIDS, chimpanzee, animal experimentation