FIV induced encephalopathy: early brain lesions in the absence of viral replication in monocyte/macrophages. A pathogenetic model.

FIV induced encephalopathy represents a model for the study of the neuropathogenesis of AIDS. It has yet to be determined whether massive viral replication is a prerequisite for the development of early brain lesions. Using a drug delivery system developed by us, we have shown that early encephalic lesions appear in FIV infected subjects even when viral transport within the brain has been markedly reduced or blocked.