Nonhuman primates and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a union of necessity

Because of the close phylogenetic relationship, nonhuman primates are highly susceptible to human pathogens, including infection of chimpanzees by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the causative agent of AIDS. This, and the existence of a highly related simian virus, SIV, which causes an AIDS-like disease in macaques, emphasizes the continued importance of using nonhuman primates as model systems for identifying and developing prophylaxis and therapy for infectious agents and, in particular, for fighting the pandemic AIDS.