Shifts in microbial diversity, composition and functionality in the gut and genital microbiome during a natural SIV infection in vervet monkeys. Chlorocebus pygerythrus

Background: The microbiota plays an important role in HIV pathogenesis in humans, in which microbial translocation from the gut contributes to systemic chronic inflammation and immune activation and the development of AIDS. Unlike HIV-infected humans, SIV-infected vervet monkeys do not experience microbial translocation and chronic immune activation and do not progress to immunodeficiency. Here, we provide the first reported characterization of the microbial ecosystems of the gut and genital tract in a natural nonprogressing host of SIV, wild vervet monkeys from South Africa. For sample collection permits, we thank the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa; Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs, Eastern Cape; Department of Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs, Free State Province; and the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife in KwaZulu-Natal Province. This research was funded by the UCLA AIDS Institute and UCLA Center for AIDS Research (AI28697 to AJJ). Samples used in this study were collected as a part of the UCLA Systems Biology Sample Repository funded by NIH grants R01RR016300 and R01OD010980 to N.F.