THE POTENTIAL OF VERVET MONKEYS (CERCOPITHECUS-AETHIOPS) AND BABOONS (PAPIO-ANUBIS) AS MODELS FOR THE STUDY OF THE IMMUNOLOGY OF ECHINOCOCCUS-GRANULOSUS INFECTIONS

Nine vervet monkeys and nine baboons were infected with eggs of Echino coccus granulosus per os. Six of the vervets and one of the baboons po ssessed hydatid cysts at autopsy, 15-28 months post-infection. The seq uential IgG response to hydatid fluid and protoscolex antigens showed considerable inter-animal variation. Infected vervets and baboons beca me seropositive after an average of 8 months post-infection. Considera ble fluctuation in the IgG response was observed, particularly to the hydatid fluid antigen which, in humans, may contribute to the existenc e of a significant proportion of seronegative individuals. Vervets, in particular, may be useful to study immunological events associated wi th exposure, development and resolution of hydatid disease in outbred human populations.