Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infection in vervet monkeys: a potential model for early-stage disease.
BACKGROUND
Non-human primates are important experimental models for human African trypanosomiasis.


METHODS
Six monkeys were intravenously inoculated with 10(5) trypanosomes of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense IL 3253. They were monitored for 180 days for parasitemia, hematology, clinical and biochemical profiles.


RESULTS
The pre-patent period was 2-3 days. From 33 to 123 dpi, the parasitemia was low and only detectable by the hematocrit centrifugation technique. Thereafter, to the end of the experimental period, the parasitemia was undetectable by parasitological methods. Clinical signs observed were lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. Hematological changes included a decline in hemoglobin occurring between 14 and 56 dpi and a significant decline in platelet counts after infection. The levels of total protein, albumin and globulins increased from 26 dpi for the rest of the experimental period. No parasites were detected in cerebrospinal spinal fluid, and no brain pathology was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
This vervet monkey model can only be used for early-stage disease Gambian sleeping sickness.
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.
B M
BM
Gachie
J M
JM
Kagira
S M
SM
Karanja
M W
MW
Waema
J M
JM
Ngotho
N W N
NW
Maina
D000818:Animals; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D001921:Brain / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops / Q000469:parasitology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006400:Hematocrit; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D014347:Trypanosoma brucei gambiense / Q000502:physiology*; D014353:Trypanosomiasis, African / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology
early-stage; non-human primate model; sleeping sickness; vervet monkeys