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Diarrhea rates and risk factors for developing chronic diarrhea in infant and juvenile rhesus monkeys
D B Elmore1, J H Anderson, D W Hird
1Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis.
Insights
Male and nursery-reared rhesus monkeys are at higher risk for chronic diarrhea. This study identified key predictors for diarrhea in infant and juvenile non-human primates, crucial for understanding primate health.
Area of Science:
- Primate Health
- Gastroenterology
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Diarrhea is a common health issue in infant and juvenile rhesus monkeys.
- Identifying predictors for diarrhea is crucial for improving animal welfare and research outcomes.
- Previous studies have not fully elucidated risk factors for weaning and chronic diarrhea in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify independent risk factors predicting problem diarrhea at weaning.
- To identify independent risk factors predicting chronic diarrhea in infant and juvenile rhesus monkeys.
- To provide data for improved management and health strategies in rhesus monkey colonies.
Main Methods:
- Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate ten independent risk factors.
- Data were collected from infant and juvenile rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).
- Risk factors were assessed for their predictive value for diarrhea at weaning and chronic diarrhea.
Main Results:
- No variables significantly predicted problem diarrhea at weaning.
- Male sex (OR=3.0) and nursery rearing (OR=7.5) were significant predictors of chronic diarrhea.
- Annual incidence of problem diarrhea at weaning averaged 39%; chronic diarrhea incidence was 49% over three years.
Conclusions:
- Male sex and nursery rearing are significant risk factors for chronic diarrhea in rhesus monkeys.
- Effective management strategies should consider these risk factors to mitigate diarrhea incidence.
- Further research may explore the underlying mechanisms contributing to these risk factors.
Abstract:
Ten independent risk factors were evaluated in an effort to identify predictors of problem diarrhea at weaning and chronic diarrhea in infant and juvenile rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) at the California Primate Research Center. None of the variables proved to be a significant predictor of problem diarrhea at weaning; however, two of the variables were significant predictors for developing chronic diarrhea. Odds ratios, adjusted for other variables in the logistic regression model, showed that compared with females, males were nearly three times more likely to develop chronic diarrhea, and nursery-reared animals were 7.5 times more likely to develop chronic diarrhea than were breast-fed animals. The annual incidence rates for problem diarrhea at weaning for 1978, 1979, and 1980 were 49%, 37%, and 41%, respectively. A weighted average annual incidence rate for problem diarrhea at weaning for the 3-year period was 39%. The incidence rate for chronic diarrhea for the 3-year period was 49%.
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