Hepatic capillariasis in captive ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta)

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Primate Medicine
• Parasitology

Background:

• Ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) are susceptible to various diseases in captive environments.
• Hepatic insufficiency can manifest with severe clinical signs and lead to mortality.

Observation:

• Three ring-tailed lemurs in a Chilean zoo presented with symptoms of severe hepatic insufficiency.
• Despite supportive care, all three animals succumbed to the illness within days.

Findings:

• Postmortem examinations revealed ascites and liver fibrosis in all affected lemurs.
• Histological analysis identified parasitic ova consistent with Capillaria hepatica (syn. Calodium hepatica) and lipidosis in the livers of two individuals.

Implications:

• This case represents the first documented instance of hepatic capillariasis in prosimians.
• Understanding this parasitic infection is crucial for managing lemur health in zoological settings and for comparative pathology research.