Cytokine production in rhesus monkeys infected with Plasmodium coatneyi

Plasmodium coatneyi infection in rhesus monkeys has been used as a model fo r studying human malaria. Cytokine production in this model, however, has s o far not been examined. In this study, four rhesus monkeys were infected w ith P. coatneyi, with another four animals serving as uninfected controls. Blood samples were taken fur the determination of daily parasitemia, and cy tokine and prostaglandin E2 (PGE(2),) levels at days 0, 3, 5, 7, and 10. Al l inoculated animals became infected, with synchronized appearance of ring- stage parasites. Infected monkeys had increased plasma levels of proinflamm atory cytokines (interleukin-1 beta, interferon-gamma, and tumor necrosis f actor-a) during the late stage of the infection. They also had increased pr oduction of ciliary neurotrophic factor. In conjunction with the production of proinflammatory cytokines, infected monkeys also had gradual increases in the production of PGE(2). A continued definition of the P. coatneyi/rhes us monkey animal model should be useful for the elucidation of the immunopa thogenesis of human malaria.