New Streptococcus pneumoniae clones in deceased wild chimpanzees

Fang Chi1, Michaela Leider, Fabian Leendertz

  • 1Department of Microbiology, University of Kaiserslautern, Paul Ehrlich Strasse 23, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Summary

Sudden deaths in wild chimpanzees were linked to new Streptococcus pneumoniae clones. This research suggests virulent S. pneumoniae strains can infect wild ape populations, causing human-like respiratory illnesses.