Experimental leptospirosis in marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus): a new model for studies of severe pulmonary leptospirosis.
Experimental infection of marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus) with Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni showed microscopic patterns of tissue reactions comparable to those seen in the severe forms of human leptospirosis, including intra-alveolar hemorrhage. The most impressive microscopic changes were seen in the lung and kidney of animals killed at days 6 and 12 after inoculation. There were extensive and irregular areas of hemorrhage predominating around main bronchial branches or diffusely spread to the pulmonary parenchyma, as well as severe tubulointerstitial nephritis. Antibody response detected by the microscopic agglutination test was quantitatively similar to those seen in humans and paralleled severity of tissue lesions. The distribution of leptospires or antigenic debris in infected tissues was observed by immunofluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Large numbers of typical leptospires were seen in the lumen of proximal renal tubules. Positive reactions showing antigenic debris were closely associated with sites of tissue damage.
Pereira
Martha Maria
MM
Department of Bacteriology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. mpereira@ioc.fiocruz.br
Da Silva
João José Pereira
JJ
Pinto
Marcelo Alves
MA
Da Silva
Mauro França
MF
Machado
Marcelo Pelajo
MP
Lenzi
Henrique Leonel
HL
Marchevsky
Renato Sergio
RS
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000882:Haplorhini; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D007668:Kidney / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*