Infectious diseases of non-human primates

As biotechnology companies continue to develop immunomodulatory compounds, more often than not, the only relevant species for preclinical safety assessment is the non-human primate (NHP). Toxicology pathologists are increasingly evaluating tissues from preclinical safety assessment studies conducted in the NHP, mainly the cynomolgus monkey but occasionally the rhesus monkey and common marmoset. A basic understanding of the spontaneous infections and opportunistic pathogens that can arise in NHPs is important when evaluating compounds that ultimately can affect the integrity and function of the immune system. This chapter provides a brief overview on the pathological characteristics of the most common infections and pathogens that can occur in NHP in the research settings.