Reproductive Outcomes in Rhesus Macaques () with Naturally-acquired Infection.

Chagas disease is a zoonotic vector-borne disease caused by infection with the protozoan parasite is found in Latin America and the Southern United States, where it infects many species, including humans and nonhuman primates (NHPs). NHPs are susceptible to natural infection and can develop clinical symptoms consistent with human disease, including Chagasic cardiomyopathy, gastrointestinal disease and transplacental transmission, leading to congenital infection. Due to evidence of Chagas transmission in Texas, this study hypothesized infection was present in a closed, outdoor-housed breeding colony of rhesus macaques () located at a biomedical research facility in Central Texas.

MLH1-rheMac hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome in rhesus macaques.

Over the past two decades, 33 cases of colonic adenocarcinomas have been diagnosed in rhesus macaques () at the nonhuman primate colony of the Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The distinctive feature in these cases, based on PET/computed tomography (CT) imaging, was the presence of two or three tumor lesions in different locations, including proximal to the ileocecal juncture, proximal to the hepatic flexure, and/or in the sigmoid colon. These colon carcinoma lesions selectively accumulated [F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([F]FDG) and [F]fluoroacetate ([F]FACE) at high levels, reflecting elevated carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism in these tumors.

Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia purpura in a Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta).

A 10-y-old multiparous rhesus macaque presented for an annual routine physical examination. Clinically, the animal had pale mucous membranes, petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages in multiple sites, and a laceration at the tail base. Severe pancytopenia was noted on hematologic evaluation.

A peptidomimetic targeting white fat causes weight loss and improved insulin resistance in obese monkeys.

Obesity, defined as body mass index greater than 30, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and a financial burden worldwide. Despite significant efforts in the past decade, very few drugs have been successfully developed for the treatment of obese patients. Biological differences between rodents and primates are a major hurdle for translation of anti-obesity strategies either discovered or developed in rodents into effective human therapeutics.

Socialization strategies and disease transmission in captive colonies of nonhuman primates.

In captive research environments for nonhuman primates (NHP), social housing strategies are often in conflict with protocols designed to minimize disease transmission. This is particularly true in breeding colonies, and is especially relevant when attempting to eliminate specific pathogens from a population of primates. Numerous strategies have been used to establish such specific pathogen free (SPF) breeding colonies (primarily of macaques), ranging from nursery rearing of neonates to single housing of socially reared yearlings to the rearing of infants in large social groups.

Incorporation of an enrichment program into a study protocol involving long-term restraint in macaques.

Nonhuman primates might experience stress during periods of restraint associated with research procedures. In an attempt to minimize such stress, the authors describe an enrichment program they designed for use with restrained adult male rhesus macaques.