RENAL PATHOLOGY IN SAIMIRI MONKEYS DURING A VACCINE TRIAL USING THE RECOMBINANT CIRCUMSPOROZOITE PROTEIN OF PLASMODIUM VIVAX

Renal specimens of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus boliviensis) were studied by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry to examine the pathologic changes during vaccine trials with four recombinant circumsporozoite (CS) proteins (rPvCS-1, rPvCS-2, rPvCS-3, NS1 81 V 20 ) of Plasmodium vivax. The monkeys were vaccinated and later challenged with P. vivax sporozoites. Among the 33 posttrial biopsies, 17 had mild to moderate mesangial proliferation and nine had interstitial nephritis. Immunohistochemistry by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method revealed IgG deposits in only three of 24 specimens and failed to demonstrate C3 deposits and P. vivax antigens in their glomeruli