[Histopathological alterations in rhesus monkeys after experimental infections with African lung flukes (Paragonimus africanus and P. uterobilateralis) (author's transl)].

Histopathological observations in monkeys experimentally infected with African lung flukes are reported. The observations were made on 3 Rhesus monkeys, infected with Paragonimus africanus from West-Cameroon, and on 5 Rhesus monkeys, infected with P. uterobilateralis from Eastern Nigeria. For comparison, the lung of a naturally infected Drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus) was included in the study. The following lesions were found: formation of parasite cavernae, intense infiltration of the cavern wall with plasma cells; formation of egg granulomata in the lung tissue with intense plasma cell infiltration; peribronchial and perivascular cellular infiltration, concomitant and consistent pleuritis; reactive cellular hyperplasia of hilar lymph nodes and of spleen. Evidently, in the stages of infection examined so far, the immune response of the host is mainly of the humoral type. Experimental Paragonimus infections in monkeys may serve as a model in studies on human paragonimiasis in Eastern Nigeria and West-Cameroon. Likewise, they may serve in studies on granulomatous inflammation.