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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, May 1999, p. 1548-1553, Vol. 37, No. 5
0095-1137/99/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1999, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.

Detection of Enzootic Babesiosis in Baboons (Papio cynocephalus) and Phylogenetic Evidence Supporting Synonymy of the Genera Entopolypoides and Babesia

Melinda A. Bronsdon,1,dagger Mary J. Homer,2 Jennifer M. H. Magera,2 Carol Harrison,2 Robert G. Andrews,3,4 Joseph T. Bielitzki,1,Dagger Carol L. Emerson,1,§ David H. Persing,2 and Thomas R. Fritsche5,*

Regional Primate Research Center1 and the Departments of Laboratory Medicine5 and Pediatrics,3 University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98195; Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 981094; and the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 559012

Received 10 August 1998/Returned for modification 12 October 1998/Accepted 8 February 1999

Blood smear evaluation of two baboons (Papio cynocephalus) experiencing acute hemolytic crises following experimental stem cell transplantation revealed numerous intraerythrocytic organisms typical of the genus Babesia. Both animals had received whole-blood transfusions from two baboon donors, one of which was subsequently found to display rare trophozoites of Entopolypoides macaci. An investigation was then undertaken to determine the prevalence of hematozoa in baboons held in our primate colony and to determine the relationship, if any, between the involved species. Analysis of thick and thin blood films from 65 healthy baboons (23 originating from our breeding facility, 26 originating from an out-of-state breeding facility, and 16 imported from Africa) for hematozoa revealed rare E. macaci parasites in 31%, with respective prevalences of 39, 35, and 12%. Phylogenetic analysis of nuclear small-subunit rRNA gene sequences amplified from peripheral blood of a baboon chronically infected with E. macaci demonstrated this parasite to be most closely related to Babesia microti (97.9% sequence similarity); sera from infected animals did not react in indirect fluorescent-antibody tests with Babesia microti antigen, however, suggesting that they represent different species. These results support an emerging view that the genus Entopolypoides Mayer 1933 is synonymous with that of the genus Babesia Starcovici 1893 and that the morphological variation noted among intracellular forms is a function of alteration in host immune status. The presence of an underrecognized, but highly enzootic, Babesia sp. in baboons may result in substantial, unanticipated impact on research programs. The similarity of this parasite to the known human pathogen B. microti may also pose risks to humans undergoing xenotransplantation, mandating effective screening of donor animals.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 N.E. Pacific, Seattle, WA 98195-7110. Phone: (206) 598-6131. Fax: (206) 598-6189. E-mail: fritsche{at}u.washington.edu.

dagger Present address: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333.

Dagger Present address: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035.

§ Present address: Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53715.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, May 1999, p. 1548-1553, Vol. 37, No. 5
0095-1137/99/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1999, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.


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