Persistent babesiosis in a Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) infected with a simian-human immunodeficiency virus

J Med Primatol. 2014 Jun;43(3):206-8. doi: 10.1111/jmp.12105. Epub 2014 Feb 11.

Abstract

Background: A rhesus macaque developed chronic anemia, lymphocytic leukocytopenia, fever, and anorexia while immunodeficient following inoculation with a simian-human immunodeficiency virus.

Methods: A complete blood count, peripheral blood smear, polymerase chain reaction and gene sequence were performed.

Results: Blood smears demonstrated persistent intraerythrocytic piroplasms with rare Maltese cross forms. Babesia microti-like protozoa were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene.

Conclusion: With continued use of non-human primates as models for human diseases, infection and complications from babesiosis should be monitored.

Keywords: Babesia microti-like; non-human primate; simian-human immunodeficiency virus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Laboratory*
  • Babesia microti / genetics
  • Babesia microti / isolation & purification*
  • Babesiosis / diagnosis*
  • Babesiosis / parasitology
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • Female
  • HIV-1 / physiology
  • Macaca mulatta*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Monkey Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Monkey Diseases / parasitology
  • Monkey Diseases / virology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications*
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / virology
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / physiology

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S

Associated data

  • GENBANK/KC904078