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EXPERIMENTAL INFECTION OF THE OLIVE BABOON (PAPIO ANUBIS) WITH PLASMODIUM KNOWLESI: SEVERE DISEASE ACCOMPANIED BY CEREBRAL INVOLVEMENT

Experimental systems that model some of the complex interactions between parasite and host can be extremely valuable in identifying and developing new prophylactics and therapeutics against human diseases. Because primates have similar immune systems to humans, we have characterized a baboon model for understanding host response to Plasmodium knowlesi. Ten intact olive baboons (Papio anubis) of either sex were experimentally infected with P. knowlesi H strain erythrocytic parasites. The infection in these baboons was either acute or chronic. Animals with acute infection developed multiple system organ dysfunction and cerebral involvement. In chronically infected animals, only the spleen was moderately enlarged. The P. knowlesi parasitemia profile in baboons and rhesus monkeys was comparable. However, some clinical symptoms of the baboons and P. falciparum-infected humans were similar. These studies demonstrate for the first time that P. anubis is a suitable host for P. knowlesi for studying clinical symptoms and pathology.

Received August 22, 2002. Accepted for publication June 2, 2003.

Acknowledgments: We thank Fred Nyundo, Eric Omollo, and Aloys Makokha for technical assistance. We also thank Clemens Kocken, Annette Beetsma and Annemarie van der Wel for sharing their rhesus monkey data.

Financial support: This study was funded by the European Union contracts (CT96-0125) for establishing the Primate Vaccine Evaluation Network (PVEN), the reference program (CT97-9104), and CT-99-10004 for developing attenuated malaria vaccines. Hastings Ozwara was funded by the Netherlands Foundation for the advancement of Tropical Research (WOTRO).

Authors’ addresses: Hastings Ozwara, Jenneby Maamun, Idle O. Farah, Dorcas S. Yole, and Jason M. Mwenda, Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya, PO Box 24481, Karen, Nairobi, Kenya. Jan A. M. Langermans and Alan W. Thomas, Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, PO Box 3306, 2280 GH, Rijswijk, The Netherlands, Telephone: 31-15-284-2640, Fax: 31-15-284-3986, E-mail: thomas{at}bprc.nl. Horst Weiler, Department of Animal Science, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, PO Box 3306, 2280 GH, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.