SCHISTOSOMA-MANSONI INFECTION IN OWL MONKEYS (AONTUS-NANCYMAI) - EVIDENCE FOR THE EARLY ELIMINATION OF ADULT WORMS

Detailed parasitologic, serologic, clinical and histopathologic studie s were conducted in owl monkeys (Aotus nancymai) exposed to varying nu mbers of cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni. All the experimental animal s had clinical symptoms suggestive of infection (weight loss diarrhoea , mucus in stools, etc.) which were not seen in uninfected individuals . The only A. vociferans included in this study passed S. mansoni eggs 8 weeks after infection. None of the A. nancymai passed eggs in their faeces. No adult worms were recovered following perfusion of the sacr ificed experimental monkeys, suggesting that they were early eliminate d. Serological techniques (ELISA-SEA and COPT) allowed diagnosis of in fection, starting 9 weeks post challenge, in all but one A. nancymai e xposed to 100 cercariae. Granulomas containing eggs were observed pred ominantly in liver and less extensively in intestine, suggesting that adult worms were mainly lodged in the intrahepatic portal system. We c onclude that A. nancvmai is susceptible to infection with S. mansoi, w ith the worms reaching sexual maturity, but being eliminated shortly a fter oviposition. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All righ ts reserved.