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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Urinary Tract Infection in a Small Animal Model: Transurethral Catheterization of Male and Female Mice
Published on: December 1, 2017
[Spontaneous urogenital infection in macaques]
Abstract:
Rates of natural infection of macaques with microorganisms that cause urogenital tract infections (UGT)--chlamydias, mycoplasms, ureaplasms and trichomonades--have been assessed. 198 macaques (rhesus, javan and lapunder) aged from newborn to 25 years (born healthy or from females with complicated pregnancy or labour) were examined. High rate of infection (40%) was observed in healthy macaques by PCR assay. In animals born from females with complicated pregnancy or labour (abortion, complicated labour, stillbirth or inflammatory postdelivery complications) rate of pathogens detection was significantly higher (up to 54,5 - 64,5%). In such animals mixed infection with 2 - 4 microorganisms in association was commonly observed. Births of weak, low weight and vitality monkey's calves was observed in infected macaques aged 17 - 25 years. Pathogens' nucleotide sequences that were analogous to ones detected in mothers were detected in calves that died during 1st month of life. This finding can be the evidence of the intrauterine infection of calves.
Insights
Natural infections with urogenital tract pathogens like chlamydias and mycoplasms are common in macaques. Complicated pregnancies significantly increase infection rates and can lead to intrauterine transmission in newborns.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Primate Health
- Microbiology
Background:
- Urogenital tract (UGT) infections in macaques can be caused by chlamydias, mycoplasms, ureaplasms, and trichomonades.
- Assessing natural infection rates is crucial for understanding primate health and disease transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of natural urogenital tract infections in macaques.
- To investigate the correlation between maternal pregnancy complications and offspring infection rates.
- To explore potential intrauterine transmission of UGT pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Examined 198 macaques (rhesus, javan, lapunder) aged newborn to 25 years.
- Utilized Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay for pathogen detection.
- Analyzed nucleotide sequences of pathogens in deceased neonates and their mothers.
Main Results:
- A high infection rate (40%) was detected in healthy macaques.
- Animals born from mothers with complicated pregnancies showed significantly higher pathogen detection rates (54.5% - 64.5%).
- Mixed infections with 2-4 microorganisms were common in offspring from complicated pregnancies.
- Weak, low-weight neonates were observed in infected older macaques (17-25 years).
- Pathogen sequences in deceased neonates matched maternal sequences, suggesting intrauterine infection.
Conclusions:
- Macaques exhibit a substantial rate of natural urogenital tract infections.
- Maternal pregnancy complications are strongly associated with increased pathogen detection in offspring.
- Evidence suggests intrauterine transmission of urogenital pathogens from mother to fetus in macaques.
Related Concept Videos
Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract
Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology
Urinary Tract Infection I: Introduction

