Increased vulnerability to psychosocial stressors likely predisposes individuals to decreased immune function and inability to control pathogens. While many factors influence the susceptibility to psychosocial stress, genetic polymorphisms may modify individual reactivity to environmental stressors. The present study evaluated how immune function was altered by the interaction of in polymorphisms in the gene that encodes the serotonin reuptake transporter (5HTT) and the psychosocial stress imposed by social subordination in adult female rhesus monkeys. Subjects were dominant and subordinate females that carried both alleles of the long promoter variant (l/l) of the 5HTT gene, and dominant and subordinate that had at least one allele for the short promoter length variant (l/s or s/s, s-variant). Plasma cortisol was higher in subordinate females in response to a social separation paradigm, confirming their increased reactivity to psychosocial stressors. Subordinate females exhibited increased T-cell activation and proliferation regardless of genotype. Despite these higher levels of T-cell proliferation and activation, subordinate females showed significantly lower frequency of T-cells. This latter finding may be due to an increased susceptibility to cell death, as indicated by higher levels of annexin-V+ CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in s-variant subordinate compared to dominant females. These findings indicate that subordinate rhesus monkeys with the s-variant 5HTT genotype exhibit decreased T-cell numbers perhaps compromising their ability to mount an immune response to pathogens. These data underscore the importance for considering gene polymorphisms that influence emotional reactivity to better understand susceptibility to disease.

A Chinese rhesus macaque infected with the pathogenic CCR5-tropic clade C simian-human immunodeficiency virus, SHIV-1157ipd3N4, had persistent viremia, depletion of CD4+ T cells to <200 cells/μl, opportunistic infections, coagulopathy and gradual development of bilateral blindness. MRI revealed marked thickening of both optic nerves. Histopathological evaluation showed diffuse cellular infiltration at necropsy, and a focus of infected cells. This is the first report of CNS pathology following chronic infection with an obligate R5 SHIV.

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant commonly prescribed in humans for pain and sleep disorders and in non‐human primates for self‐injurious behaviors. Here, we report a clinical case on the teratogenic effect of maternal‐fetal amitriptyline exposure.

A comprehensive veterinary program for captive nonhuman primates (NHPs) includes management of husbandry, nutrition, veterinary care, behavioral management, biosafety, and regulatory compliance. Staff trained to understand NHP medicine, species‐specific behavior, and NHP regulations are essential to the success of the program. The cornerstone of an NHP veterinary program focuses on preventative medicine and care.