Archived Abstracts
Long-Term Effects of Tetanus Toxoid Inoculation on the Demography and Life Expectancy of the Cayo Santiago Rhesus Macaques.
Authors: Matthew J. Kessler, Raisa Hernandez Pacheco, Richard G. Rawlins, Angelina Ruiz-Lambrides, Diana L. Delgado, Alberto M. Sabat.
A team of collaborating veterinarians, epizootiologists, biodemographers, behaviorists and colony managers working on the long-term effects of mass tetanus toxoid inoculation of the free-ranging rhesus macaques on Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico, has culminated three decades of research with a study on the demographic effects of the elimination of observed tetanus infections on this world-renowned colony of monkeys. In 1985, the mass inoculation of the colony was the first time that a major infectious disease and cause of mortality was eliminated from a large semi-natural population of nonhuman primates through vaccination at one point in time. In addition to reviewing their research and that of others who previously studied tetanus in nonhuman primates, the authors present new data proving their hypotheses published in 1988. Using sophisticated biodemographic models, the authors have demonstrated that mortality decreased, reproductive value of females increased, and life expectancy was extended by over 25% for both males and females after tetanus toxoid inoculation. Life tables were also developed for both males and females prior to and after vaccination to demonstrate the demographic changes after protecting these monkeys against tetanus infections. Most importantly, the elimination of tetanus infections has greatly improved the quality of life for the monkeys living on Cayo Santiago during the past 30 years.
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