Abstract
In this study, we sought to develop a nonhuman primate model of pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease. Blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were collected from three female rhesus macaques infected intrabronchially with escalating doses of M. avium subsp. hominissuis. Immunity was determined by measuring cytokine levels, lymphocyte proliferation, and antigen-specific responses. Disease progression was monitored clinically and microbiologically with serial thoracic radiographs, computed tomography scans, and quantitative mycobacterial cultures. The animal subjected to the highest inoculum showed evidence of chronic pulmonary MAC disease. Therefore, rhesus macaques could provide a robust model in which to investigate host-pathogen interactions during MAC infection.
Keywords:
Mycobacterium avium; T cells; granuloma; macaque; nontuberculous mycobacteria.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
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Bacterial Load
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Biopsy
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Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / microbiology
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Cell Proliferation
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Chronic Disease
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Cytokines / blood
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Disease Models, Animal
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Female
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Immunoglobulin G / blood
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Lung / microbiology*
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Lung / pathology
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Lymphocyte Activation
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Macaca mulatta
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Mycobacterium avium Complex / immunology
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Mycobacterium avium Complex / pathogenicity*
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Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / blood
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Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / immunology
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Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / microbiology*
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Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / pathology
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Respiratory Tract Infections / blood
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Respiratory Tract Infections / immunology
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Respiratory Tract Infections / microbiology*
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Respiratory Tract Infections / pathology
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T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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T-Lymphocytes / microbiology
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Time Factors
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Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Substances
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Antibodies, Bacterial
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Cytokines
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Immunoglobulin G