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Sexual Transmission of American Trypanosomes from Males and Females to Naive Mates
Published on: January 27, 2019
Natural Chagas disease in four baboons
Jeff T Williams1, Edward J Dick, John L VandeBerg
1Department of Genetics, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, San Antonio, TX 78245-0549, USA.
Journal of Medical Primatology
|August 2, 2008
Summary
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, was identified in four baboons. This finding establishes a valuable baboon model for developing human therapies for this serious parasitic infection.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Chagas disease is a significant public health concern in the Americas, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi.
- Trypanosoma cruzi infects humans and other vertebrates, leading to severe cardiovascular complications.
Observation:
- Microscopic examination revealed Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes within the myocardial fibers of infected baboons.
- T. cruzi infection was confirmed in a total of four baboons, including one initially discovered in 1984.
Findings:
- All affected baboons presented with congestive heart failure, characterized by edema, hydrothorax, and hydropericardium.
- Pathological examination showed multifocal to diffuse lymphoplasmacytic myocarditis in the hearts of infected baboons.
Implications:
- The identification of T. cruzi in baboons provides a potential animal model for studying Chagas disease.
- This baboon model could accelerate the development of novel therapeutic strategies for Chagas disease in humans.
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