Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) is a lentivirus that primarily affects non-human primates, including monkeys and apes. SIV is closely related to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and shares many similarities in its mode of transmission, replication, and pathogenesis. However, SIV does not typically cause disease in its natural hosts.
SIV can be classified into different strains based on the species it infects. For instance, SIVcpz infects chimpanzees, SIVsmm infects sooty mangabeys, and SIVmac infects macaques. These strains have contributed to the understanding of HIV/SIV evolution and pathogenesis.
Similar to HIV, SIV attacks and weakens the immune system by targeting CD4+ T cells, leading to immune suppression and increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections. However, non-human primates infected with SIV do not typically develop AIDS-like symptoms as seen in humans.
SIV transmission primarily occurs through the exchange of body fluids, such as blood, semen, and breast milk. It can be transmitted through sexual contact, sharing contaminated needles, and mother-to-child transmission. SIV can also be transmitted from non-human primates to humans through zoonotic infections, leading to the emergence of new HIV strains.
SIV research has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of HIV and AIDS. Studying SIV has provided insights into viral behavior, mechanisms of immune evasion, and potential targets for antiviral therapies. SIV-infected non-human primates are important animal models for developing and testing HIV vaccines and treatments.
Overall, Simian immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that primarily affects non-human primates and serves as a crucial model for studying HIV, AIDS, and related diseases
