Courses of infections with Plasmodium falciparum in own monkeys displaying a microfilaremia
Schmidt, L.H.; Esslinger, J.H.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 30(1): 5-11
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 7011072 Document Number: 172609
Infections with the Uganda Palo Alto, Malayan Camp-CH/Q, Vietnam Oak Knoll and Vietnam Smith strains of P. falciparum in owl monkeys (A. t. griseimembra) with concomitant microfilaremias usually, but not always, followed a more benign course than infections with the same strains in monkeys free of filarial infections. Four distinct microfilariae were identified in systematic examinations of 26 monkeys, 5 with self-limited infections with P. falciparum, 9 with normally benign self-limited infections with P. vivax and 12 without previous malaria. The microfilariae found included Dipetalonema (Dipetalonema) gracile, Tetrapetalonema (Tetrapetalonema) barbascalensis, T. (T.) panamensis and an unidentified species designated Aotus C. Among 23 monkeys studied completely, 14 were infected with a single species, 4 had double infections and 4 had triple infections. T. barbascalensis was identified in 16 monkeys, T. panamensis in 11. Although data were very limited, there was a suggestion that infections with P. falciparum were less intense in monkeys infected with T. barbascalensis, either alone or with other filariae, than in subjects infected only with T. panamensis. This study has implications for human malaria research. .