Experimental infection with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, and Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis in the marmoset, Callithrix penicillata (Primates: Callithricidae)

Abstract

Fourteen marmosets (Callithrix penicillata) were inoculated intradermally with promastigotes and/or amastigotes of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis (L. (V) b.) strains MHOM/BR/83/LTB-300 MHOM/BR/85/LTB-12 MHOM/BR/81/LTB-179 and MHOM/BR/82/LTB-250. The evolution of subsequent lesions was studied for 15 to 75 weeks post-inoculation (PI). All but 3 of the L. (V) b. injected marmosets developed a cutaneous lesion at the point of inoculation after 3 to 9 weeks, characterized by the appearance of subcutaneous nodules containing parasites. Parasites were isolated by culture (Difco Blood Agar) from all 11 positive animals. The maximum size of the lesions was variable and ranged between 37 mm2 to 107 mm2. Ulceration of primary nodules became evident after 3 to 12 weeks in all infected marmosets, but was faster and larger in 5 of the 11 animals. The active lesions persisted in 9 out of 11 Callithrix until the end of the observation period, which varied from 15-75 weeks. In 3 animals spontaneous healing of their lesions (13 to 25 weeks, PI) was observed but with cryptic parasitism. In another 2 infected animals there was regression followed by reactivation of the cutaneous lesions. The appearance of smaller satellite lesions adjacent to primary ones, as well as metastatic lesions to the ear lobes, were documented in 2 animals. Promastigotes of L. (Leishmania) amazonensis (L. (L) a.) MHOM/BR/77/LTB-16 were inoculated in 1 marmoset. This animal remained chronically infected for 6 months and the lesion developed in a similar manner to L. (V) b. infected marmosets. No significant differences in clinical and parasitological behaviour were observed between promastigote or amastigote derived infections of the 2 species.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A Review: The Current In Vivo Models for the Discovery and Utility of New Anti-leishmanial Drugs Targeting Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

“…The marmoset ( Callithrix penicillata ) has also been shown to develop a cutaneous lesion at the point of inoculation by L . braziliensis [ 70 ]. In this experiment, all but three of the 14 marmosets developed this lesion three to nine weeks after infection, and were characterized by the appearance of subcutaneous nodules containing parasites.…”

Rhesus monkey model for Leishmania major transmitted by Phlebotomus papatasi sandfly bites

“…1986), black ear‐tufted marmosets (Pereira et al . 1988; Cuba et al . 1990; Cuba‐Cuba & Marsden, 1993) and rhesus macaques (Wolf, 1976; Guan et al .…”

Leishmanioses do continente americano

“…Micos-estrela Callithrix penicillata foram, durante muitos anos, utilizados em estudos experimentais com L. braziliensis e L. amazonensis (Cuba et al, 1990;Cuba-Cuba & Marsden, 1993). Macacos-de-cheiro Saimiri sciureus experimentalmente infectados desenvolveram lesões cutâneas não ulceradas, no qual foi possível o reisolamento de parasitos (L. braziliensis e/ou L. panamensis) (Pung, Hulsebos & Kuhn, 1988).…”