Attempted transmission of canine ehrlichiosis to the vervet monkey (Cercopithecus pygerythrus)

Blood from a domestic dog infected with Ehrlichia canis was injected into 3 adult vervet monkeys Cercopithecus pygerythrus. The monkeys did not develop any clinical or haematological signs of disease, nor did they seem to be able to harbour the parasite. Furthermore, neither morulae of E. canis nor haematological evidence of ehrlichiosis were seen after these monkeys had been splenectomized. The splenectomized monkeys did, however, develop a severe parasitaemia of their red cells with Entopolypoides macaci. They also showed a transient haematuria, mild inappetence and listlessness.