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Captive rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) are commonly infected with Helicobacter cinaedi
Kathy R Fernandez1, Lori M Hansen, Peter Vandamme
1Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA.
Abstract:
Helicobacter cinaedi may cause proctocolitis or bacteremia in homosexual men infected with human immunodeficiency virus or occasionally in other immunocompromised hosts. There are scattered reports of H. cinaedi isolated from a variety of animal hosts, but to date only hamsters have been found to be a common natural reservoir. Microaerophillic cultures of feces from 5 of 16 asymptomatic rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) (31%) were positive for a curved gram-negative rod. A polyphasic taxonomic approach was used to identify the organism as H. cinaedi. These results show that H. cinaedi frequently colonizes asymptomatic captive rhesus monkeys, which may serve as another potential reservoir for human infection.
Insights
Helicobacter cinaedi, a bacterium causing infections in immunocompromised individuals, was frequently found in asymptomatic rhesus monkeys. These monkeys may represent a new natural reservoir for human transmission of H. cinaedi.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Veterinary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Helicobacter cinaedi is known to cause proctocolitis and bacteremia, particularly in immunocompromised individuals like HIV-infected homosexual men.
- While H. cinaedi has been isolated from various animals, hamsters are the only commonly recognized natural reservoir.
- Understanding potential reservoirs is crucial for preventing zoonotic transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate asymptomatic rhesus monkeys as a potential natural reservoir for Helicobacter cinaedi.
- To identify the prevalence of H. cinaedi colonization in captive rhesus monkeys.
- To characterize the organism isolated from rhesus monkeys.
Main Methods:
- Fecal samples from asymptomatic rhesus monkeys were cultured under microaerophilic conditions.
- A polyphasic taxonomic approach was employed for organism identification.
- Standard microbiological and molecular techniques were utilized.
Main Results:
- Helicobacter cinaedi was isolated from 31% (5 of 16) of asymptomatic rhesus monkeys.
- The isolated organism was identified as H. cinaedi using a comprehensive taxonomic analysis.
- This indicates frequent colonization of H. cinaedi in this primate population.
Conclusions:
- Asymptomatic captive rhesus monkeys frequently harbor Helicobacter cinaedi.
- Rhesus monkeys represent a potential new reservoir for H. cinaedi, posing a risk for human infection.
- Further research is warranted to assess the epidemiological significance of this finding.