Experimental Chagas' Disease (Trypanosoma cruzi) in the Brazilian Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri sciureus): Hematology, Cardiology, Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses. (Reannouncement with New Availability Information).

摘要

Adult, laboratory bred squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) were infected with blood form trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi (Brazil strain) and examined during the course of infection for effects on the number and reactivity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), electrocardiographic alterations, and parasite specific antibody responses. Infection resulted in electrocardiographic changes which included prolonged QRS intervals and QRS axis shifts, possibly indicative of mild intraventricular septal conduction defects or ventricular hypertrophy. Numbers of PBMCs increased slightly while red cell counts, peripheral neutrophil counts and hematocrits were unaltered. PBMCs from infected monkeys proliferated in vitro in response to T. cruzi, but not Leishmania spp. antigens, with peak responses occurring 15-19 weeks after infection. PBMC responses to various mitogens were not affected by infection. Elevated levels of anti T. cruzi IgM antibodies were detected 2-31 weeks after infection. Anti T. cruzi IgG was detected on weeks 6-31. (Author)