Disseminated intravascular coagulation complicated by peripheral gangrene in a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) experimentally infected with Plasmodium coatneyi.
We report the first case of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) complicated by peripheral gangrene induced by Plasmodium coatneyi in rhesus monkeys. Ten days after experimental challenge, numerous petechiae were noted over the trunk and extremities, with polychromasia, severe anemia, thrombocytopenia, and moderate parasitemia. These changes were accompanied by elevated serum activity of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, transaminases, and creatinine phosphokinase. The animal received intravenous fluid support, artemether, and blood transfusion. Three days after treatment, the platelet counts returned to normal, and parasitemia was abated. However, several areas of skin discoloration with gangrenous tissue in the hands and the tail were observed. Coagulation profile showed elevated D-dimers and elevated levels of fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products with low levels of protein S functional activity. DIC with peripheral gangrene is very rare in Plasmodium-infected individuals. Our results indicate that the experimental model of P. coatneyi infection of rhesus monkeys is important for studies of malarial anemia and coagulopathy.
Moreno
Alberto
A
Emory Vaccine Center and Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30329, USA. amoreno@rmy.emory.edu
García
Anapatricia
A
Cabrera-Mora
Mónica
M
Strobert
Elizabeth
E
Galinski
Mary R
MR
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D005734:Gangrene / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008288:Malaria / Q000150:complications* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000472:pathogenicity*