HIV link in chimps

07/31/2009

Scientists have found a HIV-related virus in chimpanzees that could be the "missing link" to understanding how the deadly HIV virus leads to deadly AIDS in humans but a similar virus does not harm monkeys or apes. Just published in Nature, scientists discovered a virus that is making chimps sick at alarming rates. Usually the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) does not cause death or even illness in most cases. But chimps with SIV at Gombe National Park - the place made famous by Jane Goodall's long-term study of the apes - have death rates 10 to 16 times that of uninfected animals. If scientists can figure out why these chimps are getting sick from SIV while others don't, it could be an important clue in treatment for HIV, as well as simply understanding the disease's origin. Check out the Discovery Animal News article, Missing AIDS Link Found in Chimps for the full story.