A comparison of cell-mediated immune responses in rhesus macaques housed singly, in pairs, or in groups (2000)

Schapiro, S. J., Nehete, P. N., Perlman, J. E. et al.

Abstract

The data demonstrate that social housing condition affects immune responses. While not unidirectional, these effects generally suggest enhanced immune responses for socially housed animals. .... It is our contention that strong social relationships, particularly the affiliative interactions that characterize our pair housed monkeys, may diminish the likelihood of severe infection with potentially diarrhea-inducing agents. ... Since rhesus monkeys live socially in nature, and the immune responses of singly housed animals differed from those housed socially, there is considerable motivation and justification for suggesting that the use of singly housed rhesus macaques may complicate interpretations of normal immunological responses. Abstract of this work has been published in: Nehete PN, Schapiro SJ, Perlman JE, Sastry KJ 2000 Influence of psychosocial factors on immune status in rhesus monkeys: Implications for HIV research in non-human primates. Journal of Medical Primatology 29, 302