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Published on: November 6, 2013
Prevalence of Campylobacter in infant, juvenile and adult laboratory primates
R G Russell1, L Krugner, C C Tsai
1Division of Animal Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Insights
Campylobacter spp. infection is common in infant primates, with nearly all animals at one facility testing positive. This study investigated Campylobacter prevalence and its link to diarrhea in macaques.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Microbiology
- Primate Health
Background:
- Campylobacter spp. are a significant cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in humans and animals.
- Understanding Campylobacter prevalence in non-human primates is crucial for managing health in research settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. infections in infant and adult macaques (Macaca nemestrina and Macaca fascicularis) across two different facilities.
- To investigate the correlation between Campylobacter spp. infection and the occurrence of diarrhea in these primate populations.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving fecal sample cultures from 125 infant primates and 145 adult macaques.
- Analysis of Campylobacter spp. prevalence based on age groups and facility type.
- Correlation analysis with observed clinical signs of diarrhea.
Main Results:
- High prevalence of Campylobacter spp. observed in infant primates (up to 70% by 18 months) and macaques at the Primate Field Station (nearly all animals in younger age groups).
- Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni were the predominant species, with occasional isolation of naladixic acid resistant, hippurate negative (NAR) Campylobacter spp.
- Prevalence varied significantly between the two facilities, suggesting environmental or management factors may play a role.
Conclusions:
- Campylobacter spp. infections are highly prevalent in both infant and adult macaques, particularly in certain environments.
- The study did not establish a definitive etiologic role for Campylobacter spp. in causing diarrhea in these laboratory primates.
- Further research into environmental factors and host-specific responses is warranted to understand the implications of Campylobacter spp. in primate health.
Abstract:
A cross-sectional study of Campylobacter spp. infection was conducted on 125 infant (Macaca nemestrina and Macaca fascicularis) in an infant primate nursery housing infants from birth to 18 months of age, and 145 M. nemestrina aged from 4 months to 15 years at another facility (Primate Field Station) housing animals from birth to aged adults. The objective was to determine the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in various age groups and to investigate the correlation with diarrhea. In the Infant Primate Research Laboratory approximately 70% of infants were infected at 18 months-old. Campylobacter coli was isolated from approximately two-thirds of the infected infants. One-third were Campylobacter jejuni and occasional infants were infected with a naladixic acid resistant, hippurate negative (NAR) Campylobacter spp. At the Primate Field Station virtually all animals cultured in 4-6 month-old, 16-20 month-old, and 3-5 year-old age groups were positive. Approximately one-third of middle-aged adults (10-15 years old) were positive with C. coli or NAR Campylobacter spp. Environmental factors such as location and movement of animals may provide an explanation for the prevalence data obtained in the two facilities and different age groups of animals. An etiologic role of Campylobacter spp. in diarrhea of laboratory primates was not established in this study.
