The chimpanzee and other non-human-primate models in HIV-1 vaccine research.

Animal models are of great importance for the study of disease pathogenesis, particularly non-human-primate models of infectious diseases. The role of non-human primates in HIV-1 research is continually discussed and debated. Here, we examine three primate models: chimpanzee-HIV-1, rhesus macaque-simian immunodeficiency virus and rhesus macaque-SHIV, and discuss immunological similarities and differences, safety and monetary issues, and ethical concerns.