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Challenges in oral administration of metronidazole dissolved in drinking water to rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)
Linda Labberton1, Jaco Bakker, Rianne Klomp
1Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract:
Intestinal pathogens such as Entamoeba spp. and Giardia spp. protozoans are not uncommon among rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in research facilities. These infections affect the health of the macaques, potentially causing severe diarrhea, and also pose a risk of zoonotic transmission to human caretakers. Infections must therefore be treated, but no standard treatment for intestinal protozoans in macaques has been developed. Metronidazole is commonly used to treat infections with Giardia spp. and Entamoeba spp. in veterinary medicine, but evidence-based information on effectiveness and dosages for nonhuman primates is lacking, and administration of drugs to nonhuman primates is challenging. The authors designed a study to determine whether oral administration of metronidazole dissolved in drinking water would be successful in rhesus macaques. They monitored daily fluid intake of macaques given water with or without metronidazole and with or without flavored syrup. Metronidazole addition, with or without flavored syrup, resulted in a decrease in fluid intake. Although it was possible to administer metronidazole in drinking water to some macaques, the authors conclude that this strategy is not a practical clinical method because of variation in the amount of water and metronidazole ingested by the macaques.
Insights
Treating intestinal protozoan infections in rhesus macaques with metronidazole in drinking water proved impractical. Drug administration via water led to reduced fluid intake and variable dosing, highlighting challenges in nonhuman primate treatment.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Primatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Intestinal protozoan infections (Entamoeba spp., Giardia spp.) are common in research rhesus macaques.
- These infections impact macaque health and pose zoonotic risks to humans.
- Standardized treatment protocols for these infections in nonhuman primates are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of oral metronidazole administration in drinking water for treating intestinal protozoan infections in rhesus macaques.
- To assess the feasibility of using flavored syrup to improve palatability and intake.
Main Methods:
- Rhesus macaques were monitored for daily fluid intake.
- Groups received plain water, metronidazole in water, or metronidazole with flavored syrup.
- Fluid intake was compared across groups.
Main Results:
- Metronidazole, with or without flavored syrup, significantly decreased macaque fluid intake.
- Variability in water and metronidazole consumption was observed among individuals.
- This method did not ensure consistent drug delivery.
Conclusions:
- Oral administration of metronidazole in drinking water is not a practical or reliable method for treating intestinal protozoan infections in rhesus macaques.
- Challenges in consistent drug dosing and reduced fluid intake limit its clinical utility.
- Further research into effective and practical drug delivery methods is warranted for nonhuman primates.
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