IgA-gliadin antibodies, IgA-containing circulating immune complexes, and IgA glomerular deposits in wasting marmoset syndrome.

BACKGROUND

Marmosets in captivity are highly susceptible to wasting marmoset syndrome (WMS), the aetiology of which is still not fully determined.

METHODS

The level of IgA-gliadin antibodies (IgA-AGA), of IgA-containing circulating immune complexes (IgA-CIC), and the degree of glomerular IgA deposits were compared between marmosets suffering from WMS and animals not affected by the disorder.

RESULTS

Both IgA-AGA and IgA-CIC were demonstrable in all groups of monkeys investigated. IgA-AGA and IgA-CIC were significantly higher in monkeys with WMS than in non-affected animals. There was a significant correlation between the glomerular IgA-deposition and titre of IgA-AGA. The group of marmosets strongly positive for glomerular IgA deposits comprised significantly more animals suffering from WMS than the group without deposits. In the diet of the animals a considerable amount of gliadin-like cereal proteins was assayed.

CONCLUSIONS

There are several parallels between the human disorders (coeliac disease and IgA-nephropathy/Berger's disease) and the changes observed in WMS. It should be further investigated if WMS in marmosets is a suitable animal model for both human diseases.