The SIVmac Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Response in the Acutely Infected Rhesus Monkey

Early virologic events following infection may have important consequences for the eventual clinical course of HIV-induced disease. Moreover, the immune responses that block initial virus spread are likely to be central mechanisms for containing HIV infections. It is therefore important to elucidate the virologic and immunologic events that occur immediately following HIV infection. However, since the acutely infected person comes to clinical attention weeks or even months following viral exposure, if at all, it is difficult to study the immunologic mechanisms responsible for the early clearance of HIV.