Immunization with a Live, Attenuated Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Vaccine Leads to Restriction of Viral Diversity in Rhesus Macaques Not Protected from Pathogenic Challenge

Rhesus macaques immunized with simian immunodeficiency virus SIVmac239Δnef but not protected from SIVmac251 challenge were studied to determine the genetic and biological characteristics of the breakthrough viruses. Assessment of SIV genetic diversity (env V1-V2) revealed a reduction in the number of viral species in the immunized, unprotected macaques, compared to the number in nonimmunized controls. However, no evidence for selection of a specific V1-V2 genotype was observed, and biologically cloned isolates from the animals with breakthrough virus were similar with respect to replication kinetics and coreceptor use in vitro.