# Viral Testing Core

> **NIH NIH U42** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $115,845

## Abstract

Abstract
To enhance the rigor and reproducibility of SIV/macaque models of HIV/AIDS, it is essential to
provide specific pathogen free (SPF) macaques to the research community. The NIH/ORIP has
supported the development and maintenance of SPF macaque colonies since 2000 as a critical
biomedical research resource particularly for SIV/macaque models of HIV/AIDS. Every pigtail
macaque currently in the Johns Hopkins University SPF breeding colony meets the 4 viral agent
SPF criteria set by NIH/ORIP, testing negative for Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1 (B virus),
Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV), Simian Retrovirus (SRV) and Simian T-lymphotrophic
Virus (STLV-1). The SPF status of the JHU pigtail macaque breeding colony has been
maintained for over ten years with no breaks detected by ongoing surveillance. The Virus
Reference Laboratory (VRL, San Antonio, TX) performs all of our primate serology and PCR
assays. Under the supervision of Dr. Eric Hutchinson, core director, all of the pigtail macaques
at Johns Hopkins are tested annually by serology for the four SPF viral agents. In addition, all
colony-born infants undergo two sequential PCR tests for SRV and STLV during the first year of
life. Any rare additions to the colony from sources outside JHU are similarly tested by repeat
PCR upon arrival in JHU quarantine. Our goal is to continue maintenance of SPF status of a
valuable macaque national research resource for HIV/AIDS research. The specific aim of this
Viral Testing Core is to maintain the SPF status of the colony by regular serologic and PCR
testing for 4 viral agents: Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1 (B virus), Simian Immunodeficiency
Virus (SIV), Simian Retrovirus (SRV) and Simian T-lymphotrophic Virus (STLV-1).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10403108
- **Project number:** 2U42OD013117-15A1
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Eric Kenneth Hutchinson
- **Activity code:** U42 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $115,845
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2006-09-21 → 2026-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10403108

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10403108, Viral Testing Core (2U42OD013117-15A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10403108. Licensed CC0.

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