[Morphological alterations of lymph nodes and thymus during the early course of SIV infection of rhesus monkeys].

Rhesus monkeys (M. mulatta) were i.v. infected with SIV mac251. Three phases of lymph node changes were observed. 1: physiological follicular hyperplasia (3 and 6 weeks p.i.). 2: Alterations of germinal centers: loss of follicular mantle zone, fragmentation or sclerosis (12 and 24 weeks p.i.). 3: Partial depletion of T-lymphocytes, accumulation of plasma cells, increased numbers of syncytial giant cells, hemophgocytosis in the sinuses (about 1 year p.i.). The thymus of the juvenile animals showed first changes 12 and 24 weeks after infection with focal loss of immature (and Ki-67 positive) cortical thymocytes, leading to severe accidental involution of the thymuses one year after infection and reduced numbers of Hassalls corpuscles. These investigations show the value of this animal model for the study of morphology and pathogenesis of AIDS.