Morbidity and immune response to natural schistosomiasis in baboons ( Papio anubis).
The morbidity and immunological response to naturally acquired Schistosoma mansoni infection in a population of wild baboons ( n=28) was investigated. Serum obtained from the baboons was assayed for adult worm (SWAP) and schistosome egg (SEA)-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM antibodies. The animals were euthanised, perfused to recover adult schistosome worms and schistosome-related pathology was assessed. Nineteen animals (68%) had high serum levels of SWAP-specific IgG antibodies and 15 (54%) had high levels of SEA-specific IgG antibodies. Nine animals (32%) had high levels of SWAP-specific IgM antibodies and six (21%) had high levels of SEA-specific IgM antibodies. Mild schistosome-related pathology was noted in 18 animals (64%). However, adult schistosome worms were recovered from only three animals (10%). The results indicate a high exposure to schistosomiasis for free-ranging baboons inhabiting an endemic area, as evidenced by the high prevalence of parasite-specific humoral antibody response. However, this high exposure is associated with low worm recovery and mild pathology. In addition, parasite-specific IgM antibodies provided a good indicator of an active schistosome infection.
Division of Comparative Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, BMC Box 572, 751 23, Uppsala, Sweden.
Idle
I
Farah
Andreas
A
Börjesson
Thomas
T
Kariuki
Dorcas
D
Yole
Mbaruk
M
Suleman
Jann
J
Hau
Hans-Erik
HE
Carlsson
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007422:Intestines / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008099:Liver / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008992:Monkey Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D010215:Papio; D010273:Parasitic Diseases, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*
D007075:Immunoglobulin M