Premium
Trypanosoma cruzi in non‐human primates with a history of stillbirths: a retrospective study ( Papio hamadryas spp.) and case report ( Macaca fascicularis )
Author(s) -
Grieves Jessica L.,
Hubbard Gene B.,
Williams Jeff T.,
VandeBerg John L.,
Dick, Jr Edward J.,
LópezAlvarenga Juan C.,
SchlabritzLoutsevitch Natalia E.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of medical primatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.31
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1600-0684
pISSN - 0047-2565
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0684.2008.00302.x
Subject(s) - baboon , trypanosoma cruzi , biology , chagas disease , placenta , macaque , fetus , primate , polymerase chain reaction , rhesus macaque , physiology , parasite hosting , pregnancy , andrology , immunology , virology , medicine , endocrinology , genetics , gene , paleontology , neuroscience , world wide web , computer science
Background Congenital transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi has been described in humans and experimental work has been conducted with mice, but not with non‐human primates (NHPs). Methods We conducted a retrospective study of female baboons ( Papio hamadryas spp.) naturally seropositive or seronegative for T. cruzi with history of fetal loss, and we report a stillbirth in a cynomolgus macaque ( Macaca fascicularis ) with placental T. cruzi amastigotes . Results There were no differences in menstrual cycle parameters and the number of fetal losses between seropositive and seronegative baboons with history of fetal loss . The amount of parasite DNA detected using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q‐PCR) in M. fascicularis placenta was within the range detected in infected baboon tissues. Conclusions There is no evidence that chronic maternal T. cruzi infection causes fetal loss in baboons. Q‐PCR is a useful diagnostic tool to study archived NHP placentas.