摘要: In stark contrast to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals who, if left untreated, almost invariably progress acquired syndrome (AIDS), natural hosts for the simian viruses (SIV) remain asymptomatic throughout course of infection. This observation represents one main unresolved puzzles AIDS research, particularly considers that SIV infections are characterized by chronically high levels viraemia as well intrinsic cytopathicity comparable with HIV. this review, I discuss basic immunological features natural, nonpathogenic infections, evidence suggesting attenuated, rather than extraordinarily strong, immune responses may favour their benign course, and implications these findings in terms HIV therapy vaccines.