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Brain histomorphology in protein deprived rhesus monkeys with fatal malarial infection
Abstract:
Healthy and protein deprived rhesus monkeys were inoculated with a virulent strain of Plasmodium knowlesi, to determine the morphological changes in the brain and to establish whether this model could be utilised as an experimental model for cerebral malaria. The histomorphological changes produced in the brain did not correspond with the changes conforming to those of cerebral malaria. The changes observed in healthy controls were cerebral oedema, high percentage of parasitised RBCs in the cerebral capillaries, with prominent and, at places, disrupted endothelium. In the protein deprived animals, cerebral oedema was the only conspicuous feature. It appears that the P. knowlesi-rhesus monkey combination is not suitable as an experimental model for cerebral malaria.
Insights
This study found that rhesus monkeys infected with Plasmodium knowlesi did not develop cerebral malaria. The observed brain changes in this Plasmodium knowlesi-rhesus monkey model do not mimic human cerebral malaria.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Neuroscience
- Primate Models
Background:
- Cerebral malaria is a severe neurological complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection.
- Developing suitable animal models is crucial for understanding cerebral malaria pathogenesis.
- Plasmodium knowlesi is a known cause of malaria in humans and other primates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of the Plasmodium knowlesi-rhesus monkey model for studying cerebral malaria.
- To characterize the histomorphological brain changes induced by Plasmodium knowlesi infection in rhesus monkeys.
- To compare these changes with those seen in human cerebral malaria.
Main Methods:
- Healthy and protein-deprived rhesus monkeys were inoculated with a virulent strain of Plasmodium knowlesi.
- Brain tissues were examined for histomorphological changes.
- Parasitemia levels and cerebral capillary pathology were assessed.
Main Results:
- Histomorphological brain changes did not align with typical cerebral malaria pathology.
- Healthy controls exhibited cerebral edema, high parasitemia in cerebral capillaries, and endothelial disruption.
- Protein-deprived animals showed only cerebral edema as a prominent feature.
Conclusions:
- The Plasmodium knowlesi-rhesus monkey combination is not a suitable experimental model for cerebral malaria.
- Further research may be needed to identify appropriate models for cerebral malaria studies.