The development of the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)/simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) chimeric virus macaque model (SHIV) permits the in vivo evaluation of anti-HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein immune responses. Using this model, others, and we have shown that passively infused antibody can protect against an intravenous challenge. However, HIV-1 is most often transmitted across mucosal surfaces and the intravenous challenge model may not accurately predict the role of antibody in protection against mucosal exposure. After controlling the macaque estrous cycle with progesterone, anti-HIV-1 neutralizing monoclonal antibodies 2F5 and 2G12, and HIV immune globulin were tested. Whereas all five control monkeys displayed high plasma viremia and rapid CD4 cell decline, 14 antibody-treated macaques were either completely protected against infection or against pathogenic manifestations of SHIV-infection. Infusion of all three antibodies together provided the greatest amount of protection, but a single monoclonal antibody, with modest virus neutralizing activity, was also protective. Compared with our previous intravenous challenge study with the same virus and antibodies, the data indicated that greater protection was achieved after vaginal challenge. This study demonstrates that antibodies can affect transmission and subsequent disease course after vaginal SHIV-challenge; the data begin to define the type of antibody response that could play a role in protection against mucosal transmission of HIV-1.
The use of laboratory animals as experimental models of disease has been a critical tool for biomedical researchers for decades. Animal studies allow scientists to discover and understand the mechanism of infection and ultimately to develop effective treatment and prevention modalities. Workers who directly handle infectious microbes or infected laboratory animals are at risk of exposure while performing their assigned duties. A comprehensive biosafety program, led by a biosafety professional, is critical to properly protect workers and the surrounding community. Such a program includes a thorough understanding of the biohazard through formal risk assessment, implementation of effective biohazard controls, and extensive training of all personnel who are at risk of exposure.
A human health hazard may constitute a variety of hazards that are encountered in an animal facility. Health hazards include physical, chemical, radioactive, or biological hazards such as cage and rack washers, chemicals used for cleaning and disinfection, experimental drugs or biologics, radioactive isotopes, zoonotic diseases, allergens, experimental infectious agents, or biological toxins. This article will focus on experimental infectious agents and biological toxins (biohazards) that are hazardous to both animals and humans and require biological containment (biocontainment) to prevent their inadvertent release into the environment. Key areas for safely managing a biocontainment animal care and use program and vivarium are described. While scientific research involving health hazards has created some challenges, it has also provided some excellent advances in methods and technologies. The ideas and approaches in this article will be useful for those just entering this field of research and those who have committed their careers to the safe use of animals exposed to biohazards.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.