Core B: Viral Testing Core

Core B - Viral Testing Core: Project Summary The expanded Specific Pathogen Free (eSPF) colony is an essential resource for the production of Indian- origin rhesus macaques free from an extended list of pathogens which are used as models of AIDS-defining opportunistic infections or vaccine vector development, have the potential to confound HIV research, or have the potential to cause serious disease in staff working with macaques. Since its inception, the animals produced in the ONPRC U42 eSPF Rhesus Macaque Breeding Colony have been extensively used for the study of virus-host interactions and pathogenesis, basic immunology, AIDS-related opportunistic infections and vaccine development. The scope of the need for eSPF animals is far greater than the support of AIDS opportunistic infection and HIV vaccine development research. CMV infections are widespread in human populations, and they contribute to a significant burden of disease. Developing effective vaccines that prevent their infection has proven difficult and remains a national priority. Rhesus macaques free of CMV have, and will continue to play, an essential role in the development of effective CMV vaccines. The three National Primate Research Center eSPF rhesus macaque breeding colonies are currently the only source of these animals. The Viral Testing Core has an essential role in improving and maintaining the microbial integrity of the ONPRC eSPF breeding colony. This role will be fulfilled by providing state-of-the-art serologic and virologic assays for serologic monitoring of the colony and agent detection, respectively. The overall objective of the Viral Testing Core is to provide high quality screening and confirmatory testing services for surveillance of the ONPRC U42 eSPF Rhesus Macaque Breeding Colony.