Non-human primates: Institute Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

In order to compete internationally, the IOC/Fiocruz has established a major nonhuman primate vaccine trial centre, which has a highly experienced staff to perform the experimental work. Monkeys are obtained from a breeding colony started at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Primate Research Center by Dr. Evandro Chagas in 1932 to provide animals for yellow fever research.  The colony of Macaca mulatta is now approximately 400 monkeys in size and is housed in several, 18x18x3 m cages in an area of 20,000 m² environmental habitat within the Manguinhos campus (see appendix I).  There are 15 employees caring for the monkeys, including a primatologist (PhD level) and four full-time medical veterinarians. All the procedures involving animals are carried out according to the Brazilian guide for care and use of laboratory animals (Projeto de lei 3.964/97-www.planalto.gov.br). Their care and maintenance have been described previously [Parasitology 2003, 127:1].  Animals are anesthetized as described [Exp. Parasitol. 1996; 82:34] before infection and prior to each sampling or testing procedure.  Ongoing research on the nonhuman primate rhesus monkey model for leishmaniasis (see appendix II) has been approved by the Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Ethic Committee (CEUA-FIOCRUZ, # P.0215/04) for the care and use of laboratory animals. 

Appendix I – Macaque facilities at FIOCRUZ

(A)The Breeding Colony of Macaca mulatta at the Fiocruz Primate Research Center (Brazil)

(B)  Individual caging and separate operating theatre for Macaca mulatta at the Fiocruz Primate Research Center (Brazil)

Appendix II - A. Clinical outcome of self-healing L. major cutaneous infection in M.  mulatta