Hematological Profile of Naturally Infected Long-Tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis) With Plasmodium Inui in Ex Situ Captivity Prior to Ex Vivo Cultivation.

BACKGROUND

Anemia, characterized by low hemoglobin, is a key malaria indicator. Malaria in non-human primates (NHPs) is often asymptomatic, requiring laboratory tests and microscopy for diagnosis. Hematological profiles are crucial for understanding NHP clinical conditions and supporting ex vivo Plasmodium culture for antimalarial testing. This study examines hematological changes in Macaca fascicularis naturally infected with Plasmodium inui and provides hematocrit guidelines for ex vivo culture.

METHODS

Ten M. fascicularis were diagnosed with Plasmodium inui in 2023 and subsequently re-screened in this study through microscopic and molecular analyses. Two monkeys (M4, M10) with the highest parasitemia and one negative control (M6) were analyzed. Hematological, albumin, and glucose levels were measured.

RESULTS

M4 and M10 showed 34.5% and 30.2% hematocrit values, with hemoglobin levels of 10.5 and 8.6 g/dL. M10 exhibited anemia and thrombocytopenia.

CONCLUSIONS

M10 showed hematological signs of malaria, while all macaques exhibited microcytic hypochromic anemia. High hematocrit levels are recommended for ex vivo culture.