Quantitative Microflora Analysis on Non-Human Primate (Macaque) Specimens in Port-A-Cul Transport Tubes

Added: May 16, 2011 2:55 pm TITLE: Quantitative Microflora Analysis Assays on Nonhuman Primate (Macaque) Specimens in Port-a-Cul Transport Tubes

BACKGROUND : The Laboratory Branch supports DHAP's goals in HIV prevention as they pertain to clinical studies, viral transmission, diagnosis and incidence, intervention research with microbicides, vaccines, and chemoprophylaxis as well as investigates other human and zoonotic retroviruses. The lab also requires quantitation, isolation, evaluation of microflora in animal modeling system (using non-human primates) that affect HIV infection and prevention including drug resistance. Changes in vaginal bacterial microflora are major susceptibility factors for HIV infection. It is therefore critical to evaluate whether microbicides or other mucosal HIV prevention efforts induce changes in vaginal or rectal microflora in macaques. Such changes in macaques could constitute serious safety concerns for any proposed interventions.

PURPOSE: The Government requires Contractor services to perform analysis assay services of the Quantitative Vaginal and Rectal Microflora Testing on Macaque specimens that will be provided in Port-a-cul transport tubes and provide quantitative data for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CCID, NCHHSTP, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Laboratory Branch.