Persistent babesiosis in a Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) infected with a simian-human immunodeficiency virus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A rhesus macaque developed chronic anemia, lymphocytic leukocytopenia, fever, and anorexia while immunodeficient following inoculation with a simian-human immunodeficiency virus.

Methods

A complete blood count, peripheral blood smear, polymerase chain reaction and gene sequence were performed.

Results

Blood smears demonstrated persistent intraerythrocytic piroplasms with rare Maltese cross forms. Babesia microti-like protozoa were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene.

Conclusion

With continued use of non-human primates as models for human diseases, infection and complications from babesiosis should be monitored.

SUBMITTER: Liu DX 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3989376 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature