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Parasites may exit immunocompromised northern pig-tailed macaques (Macaca leonina) infected with SIVmac239

Tian-Zhang Song1,2, Ming-Xu Zhang1, Yu-Jie Xia3

  • 1Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Yunnan 650223, China.

Zoological Research
|March 8, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Parasites may exit immunocompromised hosts during simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection. Macaques losing parasites showed worse immune decline and organ damage, suggesting parasite exit indicates a compromised state.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Parasitology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Parasitic infections can worsen outcomes for immunocompromised individuals, such as those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
  • While some studies suggest parasites might be cleared by immunocompromised hosts, direct experimental evidence is lacking.
  • The impact of parasitic infections on host immunity during viral infections remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between parasitic infections and host immunity during simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection in macaques.
  • To determine if parasites exit hosts with compromised immunity.

Main Methods:

  • Detected 14 parasites in six northern pig-tailed macaques (NPMs) using ELISA before and at 50 weeks post-SIV infection.
  • Classified macaques into Parasites Exit (PE) and Parasites Remain (PR) groups based on parasite detection at 50 weeks.
  • Assessed viral load, CD4+ T cell counts, CD4/CD8 ratios, immune activation, immune exhaustion, and pathological changes.

Main Results:

  • NPMs in the PE group exhibited higher SIV viral loads and lower CD4+ T cell counts and CD4/CD8 ratios compared to the PR group.
  • The PE group showed increased immune activation and exhaustion in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.
  • Pathological examination revealed greater injury in the liver, cecum, colon, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes in the PE group.

Conclusions:

  • Parasite clearance (exit) in SIV-infected macaques correlates with more severe immune compromise.
  • These findings suggest that parasites may exit immunocompromised hosts, indicating a worsening disease state.
Keywords:
AIDSImmunocompromisedNorthern pig-tailed macaqueParasiteSIVmac239

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