Abstract

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.

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