Experimental Infection with Plasmodium Falciparum in Aotus Monkeys

Abstract
The finding that the owl monkey (Aotus trivirgatus) constitutes a suitable host for the study of Plasmodium falciparum malaria provided an opportunity to evaluate the possible occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulation in this model. Five monkeys were inoculated with 1 × 105 red blood cells parasitized with P. falciparum (Camp C strain), and serial blood samples were obtained for platelet counts and coagulation studies. Following the appearance of patent parasitemia, the monkeys developed significant thrombocytopenia, decreases of most clotting factors, positive plasma protamine paracoagulation (3P) tests, and increased levels of circulating fibrin split products. No coagulation abnormalities were found in saline-injected control monkeys. This profile of abnormalities is virtually specific for disseminated intravascular coagulation and provides further evidence that this pathophysiologic process may occur in association with some malarial infections.

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