Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #32414
Title: ENCEPHALOMYELITIS DUE TO A SARCOCYSTIS NEURONA-LIKE PROTOZOAN IN A RHESUS MONKEY INFECTED WITH SIMIAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS

Author
item KLUMP S A - EMORY UNIVERSITY
item ANDERSON D C - EMORY UNIVERSITY
item MCCLURE H M - EMORY UNIVERSITY
item DUBEY JITENDER P - 1265-55-00

Submitted to: Journal of American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/2/1994
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Infections by the species of the protozoan genus Sarcocystis are widespread in livestock in the U.S. Sarcocystis infection is acquired by herbivores by ingesting the resistant stage of the parasite (sporocyst) excreted in feces of carnivores and carnivores become infected by eating the encysted stage of the parasite in muscles of herbivores. A new species of Sarcocystis (S. neurona) with unknown life cycle recently was discovered that cause neurological diseases in horses. Scientists at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and the Primate Research Center, Emory University report for the first time S. neurona-like infection in a monkey that was paralyzed. The findings should help in diagnosis of sarcocystosis in primates.

Technical Abstract: A captive born rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) experimentally infected with simian immunodeficiency virus developed neurologic abnormalities approximately seven months post-inoculation. A chronic necrotizing encephalomyelitis with intralesional protozoal schizonts was diagnosed histologically. The protozoa was identified as Sarcocystis neurona based on its morphologic characteristics by light and electron microscopic examination, the developmental stages of the schizonts, and positive staining with antisera against Sarcocystis cruzi by immunocytochemical techniques. Sarcocystis neurona has recently been identified as an etiologic agent of encephalomyelitis in horses, raccoons and mink.