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Suspect Guillain-Barré syndrome in a male rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta)
Tamara Becker1, Florian Pieper1, David Liebetanz2
1German Primate Center, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
Abstract:
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare, mainly acute inflammatory polyneuropathy in humans. It is frequently post-infectious with auto antibodies being formed against myelin sheaths, resulting in a progressive and more-or-less severe paralysis of the motor neuron and cranial nerves. Mortality is low and 60 % of the patients recover completely from the disease after intensive treatment. In animals, there are a few diseases that closely resemble GBS, but cases of GBS in monkeys seem to be scarce. In this case report, the clinical course of a progressive tetraplegia in a male rhesus macaque is described. Clinical, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), electroneurography (ENG) and electromyography (EMG), and pathological findings revealed symptoms very similar to human GBS.
Insights
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare inflammatory polyneuropathy. This case report details a rhesus macaque exhibiting GBS-like symptoms, suggesting potential animal models for human disease research.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Comparative Pathology
- Neuroimmunology
Background:
- Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a human autoimmune disorder targeting the peripheral nervous system.
- While GBS is well-documented in humans, naturally occurring cases in non-human primates are notably rare.
- Understanding GBS in animal models aids in elucidating disease mechanisms and testing therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a case of progressive tetraplegia in a rhesus macaque.
- To investigate the clinical, electrophysiological, and pathological features of this condition.
- To compare the findings with human Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Main Methods:
- Clinical assessment of a rhesus macaque with progressive paralysis.
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis.
- Electroneurography (ENG) and electromyography (EMG) studies.
- Pathological examination of affected tissues.
Main Results:
- The rhesus macaque presented with clinical signs mirroring human GBS, including progressive tetraplegia.
- Cerebrospinal fluid, ENG, and EMG findings were consistent with inflammatory polyneuropathy.
- Pathological results showed similarities to the demyelination observed in human GBS.
Conclusions:
- This case report documents a rhesus macaque with a condition highly suggestive of Guillain-Barré syndrome.
- The findings highlight the potential of rhesus macaques as a model for studying GBS.
- Further research in primate models could advance understanding and treatment of GBS.
