This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. Primary support for the subproject and the subproject's principal investigator may have been provided by other sources, including other NIH sources. The Total Cost listed for the subproject likely represents the estimated amount of Center infrastructure utilized by the subproject, not direct funding provided by the NCRR grant to the subproject or subproject staff. Chagas disease is caused by a parasite that is carried by a blood-sucking bug that is endemic in Central and South America and in southern U.S. This disease causes perturbations in the immune system and it causes cardiac pathology. Infected primates should not be used for studies in infectious disease research or cardiac research. At the SNPRC 2% of baboons, 4% of rhesus macaques and 12% of chimpanzees are infected. We know that this infection also is endemic at at least some of the other primate facilities in the southern U.S. There is no treatment for Chagas disease. The initial infection in animals or humans persists lifelong. However, posaconazole, a new drug that is approved as an anti-fungal for human use, has demonstrated a high level of efficacy in eliminating the parasites in treatment of mice that were experimentally infected with the parasite. We are testing this drug in a study involving naturally infected baboons for its efficacy in eliminating the parasite. The experiment will involve endomyocardial biopsy at the beginning and at the end of the study so that parasite levels in the heart and pathological progression can be determined. If the treatment is successful, we expect that its use at primate facilities in southern U.S. will decrease morbidity and mortality among juveniles and breeders, and will increase the number of animals available for research on infectious diseases. Even if the treatment is only partially successful, the health status of infected animals may improve. Furthermore, if the experiment achieves at least partial success, the results will demonstrate the utility of nonhuman primates as models for developing treatments for Chagas disease, which affects 10 million people in Latin America and an estimated 100,000 people in the U.S., as well as an undetermined number of nonhuman primates in the southern U.S.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
Type
Primate Research Center Grants (P51)
Project #
5P51RR013986-13
Application #
8357695
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRR1-CM-8 (01))
Project Start
2011-05-01
Project End
2012-04-30
Budget Start
2011-05-01
Budget End
2012-04-30
Support Year
13
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$78,664
Indirect Cost
Name
Texas Biomedical Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
007936834
City
San Antonio
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
78245
Jensen, Jeffrey T; Hanna, Carol; Mishler, Emily et al. (2018) Effect of menstrual cycle phase and hormonal treatments on evaluation of tubal patency in baboons. J Med Primatol 47:40-45
Confer, Alexandra; Owston, Michael A; Kumar, Shyamesh et al. (2018) Multiple endocrine neoplasia-like syndrome in 24 baboons (Papio spp.). J Med Primatol 47:434-439
Mustonen, Allison; Gonzalez, Olga; Mendoza, Elda et al. (2018) Uremic encephalopathy in a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta): A case report and a brief review of the veterinary literature. J Med Primatol :
Koistinen, Keith; Mullaney, Lisa; Bell, Todd et al. (2018) Coccidioidomycosis in Nonhuman Primates: Pathologic and Clinical Findings. Vet Pathol 55:905-915
Mahaney, Michael C; Karere, Genesio M; Rainwater, David L et al. (2018) Diet-induced early-stage atherosclerosis in baboons: Lipoproteins, atherogenesis, and arterial compliance. J Med Primatol 47:3-17
Mangosing, Sara; Perminov, Ekaterina; Gonzalez, Olga et al. (2018) Uterine Tumors Resembling Ovarian Sex Cord Tumors in Four Baboons ( Papio spp.). Vet Pathol 55:753-758
Joganic, Jessica L; Willmore, Katherine E; Richtsmeier, Joan T et al. (2018) Additive genetic variation in the craniofacial skeleton of baboons (genus Papio) and its relationship to body and cranial size. Am J Phys Anthropol 165:269-285
Shelton, Elaine L; Waleh, Nahid; Plosa, Erin J et al. (2018) Effects of antenatal betamethasone on preterm human and mouse ductus arteriosus: comparison with baboon data. Pediatr Res 84:458-465
Perminov, Ekaterina; Mangosing, Sara; Confer, Alexandra et al. (2018) A case report of ovotesticular disorder of sex development (OT-DSD) in a baboon (Papio spp.) and a brief review of the non-human primate literature. J Med Primatol 47:192-197
Kumar, Shyamesh; Laurence, Hannah; Owston, Michael A et al. (2017) Natural pathology of the captive chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes): A 35-year review. J Med Primatol 46:271-290

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