Abstract
BackgroundThere are three subspecies of Trypanosoma brucei: T. b. gambiense, T. b. rhodesiense and T. b. brucei. The first two are infectious to humans, whilst T. b. brucei is not. Identifying an animal model of T. b. brucei that mimics human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) would enable researchers to study HAT without subjecting themselves to undue risks such as accidental infection.ObjectivesThis study assessed the sequential clinical, parasitological and haematological changes in vervet monkeys infected with T. b. brucei.MethodsThree vervet monkeys were infected with a 104 inoculum of T. b. brucei (isolate GUTat 1). Late-stage disease was induced by subcurative treatment with diminazene aceturate 28 days post-infection. The animals were treated curatively with melarsoprol upon relapse. Parasitaemia and clinical signs were monitored daily and, at weekly intervals, the monkeys’ blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were sampled for haematology and parasitosis assessments, respectively.ResultsThe first-peak parasitaemia was observed between seven and nine days post-infection. Clinical signs associated with the disease included fever, dullness, pallor of mucous membranes, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly and oedema. Late-stage signs included stiffness of joints and lethargy. The monkeys developed a disease associated with microcytic hypochromic anaemia. There was an initial decline, followed by an increase, in total white blood cell counts from early- to late-stage disease. Trypanosomes were detected in the CSF and there was a significant increase in white cell counts in the CSF during late-stage disease. Infected vervet monkeys displayed classical clinical symptoms, parasitological and haematological trends that were similar to monkeys infected with T.b. rhodesiense.ConclusionThe T. b. brucei vervet monkey model can be used for studying HAT without putting laboratory technicians and researchers at high risk of accidental infection.
Highlights
Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei) is a protozoan parasite, of which there are three subspecies: T. b.gambiense, T. b. rhodesiense and T. b. brucei
Trypanosomes were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and there was a significant increase in white cell counts in the CSF during late-stage disease
The T. b. brucei vervet monkey model can be used for studying human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) without putting laboratory technicians and researchers at high risk of accidental infection
Summary
Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei) is a protozoan parasite, of which there are three subspecies: T. b.gambiense, T. b. rhodesiense and T. b. brucei. Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei) is a protozoan parasite, of which there are three subspecies: T. b. The first two subspecies are infectious to humans, causing human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) ( known as sleeping sickness),[1] whilst. The disease has two recognised stages: the early (haemolymphatic) stage when parasites appear in the blood and the late (encephalitic) stage when the central nervous system is involved. Rhodesiense is found in eastern and southern Africa and causes an acute infection. The first clinical symptoms are observed a few weeks or months after initial infection – a result of the parasite invading the central nervous system (CNS). There are three subspecies of Trypanosoma brucei: T. b. Brucei that mimics human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) would enable researchers to study HAT without subjecting themselves to undue risks such as accidental infection Identifying an animal model of T. b. brucei that mimics human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) would enable researchers to study HAT without subjecting themselves to undue risks such as accidental infection
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
