Trypanosoma cruzi in non-human primates with a history of stillbirths: a retrospective study (Papio hamadryas spp.) and case report (Macaca fascicularis).
BACKGROUND
Congenital transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi has been described in humans and experimental work has been conducted with mice, but not with non-human primates (NHPs).


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective study of female baboons (Papio hamadryas spp.) naturally seropositive or seronegative for T. cruzi with history of fetal loss, and we report a stillbirth in a cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) with placental T. cruzi amastigotes.


RESULTS
There were no differences in menstrual cycle parameters and the number of fetal losses between seropositive and seronegative baboons with history of fetal loss. The amount of parasite DNA detected using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) in M. fascicularis placenta was within the range detected in infected baboon tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no evidence that chronic maternal T. cruzi infection causes fetal loss in baboons. Q-PCR is a useful diagnostic tool to study archived NHP placentas.
Grieves
Jessica L
JL
Southwest National Primate Research Center, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, 7620 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78227, USA.
Hubbard
Gene B
GB
Williams
Jeff T
JT
Vandeberg
John L
JL
Dick
Edward J
EJ
López-Alvarenga
Juan C
JC
Schlabritz-Loutsevitch
Natalia E
NE
D000818:Animals; D018420:Ape Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008297:Male; D010215:Papio; D010920:Placenta / Q000469:parasitology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000662:veterinary*; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000254:growth & development*
D016054:DNA, Protozoan