Comparison of the vaginal environment in rhesus and cynomolgus macaques pre- and post-lactobacillus colonization
Gregory J. Daggett Jr
Division of Animal Resources, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorFawn Connor-Stroud
Division of Animal Resources, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorPatricia Oviedo-Moreno
Division of Pathology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorHojin Moon
Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University Ames, Ames, IA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMichael W. Cho
Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University Ames, Ames, IA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorDeborah J. Anderson
Departments of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Microbiology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Francois Villinger
New Iberia Research Center, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, LA, USA
Correspondence
Francois Villinger DVM, New Iberia Research Center, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, LA, USA.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorGregory J. Daggett Jr
Division of Animal Resources, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorFawn Connor-Stroud
Division of Animal Resources, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorPatricia Oviedo-Moreno
Division of Pathology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorHojin Moon
Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University Ames, Ames, IA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMichael W. Cho
Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University Ames, Ames, IA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorDeborah J. Anderson
Departments of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Microbiology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Francois Villinger
New Iberia Research Center, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, LA, USA
Correspondence
Francois Villinger DVM, New Iberia Research Center, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, LA, USA.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Background
Rhesus and cynomologus macaques are valuable animal models for the study of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention strategies. However, for such studies focused on the vaginal route of infection, differences in vaginal environment may have deterministic impact on the outcome of such prevention, providing the rationale for this study.
Methods
We tested the vaginal environment of rhesus and cynomolgus macaques longitudinally to characterize the normal microflora based on Nugent scores and pH. This evaluation was extended after colonization of the vaginal space with Lactobacilli in an effort to recreate NHP models representing the healthy human vaginal environment.
Results and Conclusion
Nugent scores and pH differed significantly between species, although data from both species were suggestive of stable bacterial vaginosis. Colonization with Lactobacilli was successful in both species leading to lower Nugent score and pH, although rhesus macaques appeared better able to sustain Lactobacillus spp over time.
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