Emergence of a Kwashiorkor-Like Syndrome Associated with Protein-Calorie Malnutrition in the Developing Rhesus Monkey (Macaca Mulatta)
An infant rhesus monkey was separated from its mother at 90 days of age, housed individually, and at 120 days of age placed on a purified low protein diet containing 3.5% casein by weight. To enhance the effects of protein-calorie malnutrition, a protein-deficient diet containing 2.0% casein by weight was introduced at 415 days of age. When compared with other animals on an identical dietary regime, the subject manifested a reduced intake of food and a marked decrease in weight gain. Clinical symptomatology analogous to human kwashiorkor progressively developed into an acute phase as a result of protein deficiency and included: brittle, depigmented, and sparse hair; chronic diarrhea; dermatitis as “flaky-paint rash” on the extremities and “moist groin rash;” edema of the face and extremities; hypoalbuminemia; hypoproteinemia; retardation of growth and physical development; and wasting of muscle tissue. Within 172 days following the dietary shift from 3.5% to 2.0% casein, a terminal state was evidenced.