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Development, refinement, and characterization of a nonhuman primate critical care environment
Joseph D Bozzay1,2, Patrick F Walker1,2, Rex E Atwood1,2
1Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America.
Plos One
|March 17, 2023
Summary
Developing a prolonged critical care environment for nonhuman primates (NHPs) with sedation and ventilation is feasible. This model helps study systemic inflammation after trauma without general anesthesia, revealing stable biologic markers.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Critical Care Medicine
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Systemic inflammation post-traumatic injury is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.
- Existing nonhuman primate (NHP) trauma models lack a prolonged critical care phase without general anesthesia.
- This study addresses the need for a more comprehensive NHP trauma model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a prolonged critical care environment for NHPs using sedation and mechanical ventilation.
- To characterize the systemic inflammatory response and biologic markers in NHPs under critical care conditions.
- To establish a foundation for future research into trauma-induced systemic inflammation in NHPs.
Main Methods:
- Eight adult male rhesus macaques were subjected to 48-96 hours of ventilation with sedation in a critical care setting.
- Biologic and inflammatory markers, including blood counts, chemistries, coagulation, cytokines, and chemokines, were collected.
- Histopathologic analysis was performed at necropsy.
Main Results:
- Transaminitis was observed during ventilation, while renal function, acid-base status, and hematologic profiles remained stable.
- Initial elevations in Interleukin-6 (Il-6) and Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (Il-1ra) downtrended unless respiratory compromise occurred.
- NHPs exhibited susceptibility to pulmonary effects of short-term ventilation, mirroring ventilator-induced pulmonary pathology.
Conclusions:
- A critical care environment with ventilation support for NHPs is achievable, though resource-intensive.
- Sedation and mechanical ventilation did not profoundly alter the inflammatory profile of NHPs.
- This model provides a viable platform for investigating prolonged critical care and trauma response in NHPs.
