Glomerulopathy in squirrel monkeys with acute Plasmodium falciparum infection

The renal pathology of 9 squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) with acute Plasmodium falciparum infection was studied by light and electron microscopy. Endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis was the major pathological change observed. The peroxidase anti-peroxidase method demonstrated the presence of IgG, IgM, and P. falciparum antigens in the mesangium and basement membrane. These findings were consistent with those seen in humans with acute P. falciparum infection and indicates that squirrel monkeys are likely to be a good model for the study of renal pathology in malaria research.