FATAL FASCIOLOIDES MAGNA IN A LESSER SPOT-NOSED GUENON (CERCOPITHECUS PETAURISTA)

A 4-yr-old male intact lesser spot-nosed guenon (Cercopithecus petaurista), housed at a North American zoological facility, presented with acute lethargy, inappetence, and mild neurologic signs. Physical examination revealed hemorrhagic pleural effusion in the right hemithorax. This guenon's condition improved over several days but then deteriorated, and the guenon presented with lethargy and weakness. A hemorrhagic pleural effusion was identified within the left hemithorax. The guenon developed respiratory and cardiac arrest while anesthetized. Gross examination revealed tract formation in the liver, adhesions of the liver to the diaphragm, hemorrhagic thoracic and abdominal effusion, and a single trematode within the right hemithorax. Morphologic features and species identification by PCR confirmed that the parasite was Fascioloides magna. Histologic examination revealed tract formation in the liver associated with biliary hyperplasia, fibrosis and hepatic necrosis, severe bile peritonitis, and pleuritis. This is the first report of an infection by F. magna in a primate.