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Respiratory pathogens in monkeys

R C Good1, B D May

  • 1National Center for Primate Biology, University of California, Davis, California 95616.

Infection and Immunity
|January 1, 1971
PubMed

Insights

Respiratory disease in nonhuman primates was mainly caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae and other bacteria. Females showed higher susceptibility, and newly colonized monkeys had increased infection rates, informing disease model development.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Primate Research
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Respiratory disease is a significant concern in nonhuman primate colonies.
  • Understanding causative agents and risk factors is crucial for colony health and research.
  • Previous studies have identified various pathogens, but comprehensive analysis in dynamic colonies is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the primary bacterial pathogens responsible for respiratory disease in a dynamic nonhuman primate colony over a 4-year period.
  • To investigate secondary bacterial invaders and their role in disease progression.
  • To determine factors influencing susceptibility and incidence, such as sex, colonization status, and season, for developing disease models.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal monitoring of a nonhuman primate colony over 4 years.
  • Bacteriological isolation and identification of pathogens from respiratory infections.
  • Analysis of clinical data, including fatality rates, sex, colonization status, and seasonal incidence.
  • Evaluation of pathogen susceptibility across 10 nonhuman primate species.

Main Results:

  • Klebsiella pneumoniae, Diplococcus pneumoniae, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Pasteurella multocida, and Haemophilus influenzae were identified as primary respiratory pathogens.
  • Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and streptococci were principal secondary invaders.
  • High fatality rates were observed for primary pathogen infections; females were more susceptible than males.
  • Infection incidence peaked in fall/early winter; newly colonized monkeys had higher rates than conditioned ones.
  • Infections could be localized to lungs or present without gross lesions.

Conclusions:

  • Specific bacterial pathogens are the main drivers of respiratory disease in this nonhuman primate colony.
  • Factors like sex, colonization status, and season significantly impact respiratory disease incidence and severity.
  • The identified pathogens and host-pathogen interactions provide a foundation for creating relevant nonhuman primate models for respiratory disease research.

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