Effects of Social Pairing on Measurable Disease Outcomes in Hospitalized Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta)
Madeline C Burke1, Andrew J Haertel2, Allison Heagerty2
1Research Models & Services, Inotiv, Inc. Alice East, Alice, Texas, USA.
Abstract:
Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) living in outdoor breeding colonies may require transient housing in an indoor hospital setting. While previous studies have documented the benefits of socially housing macaques to promote psychosocial wellbeing, concerns of pathogen transmission or wound tampering may influence pairing decisions during clinical treatment. The aim of the present study was to determine whether paired social housing during hospitalization affects 1) length of treatment time, 2) incidence of hospital-acquired diarrhea, and 3) enteric pathogen transmission. We hypothesized that there would be no significant differences in the length of treatment time, incidence of hospital-acquired diarrhea, or change in the number of enteric pathogens between paired and unpaired groups. The first study population was a retrospective data set comprising 591 animals (105 paired, 486 unpaired) presenting with digit injuries over a 6.5-year period. The second study population was a prospective set of 40 animals enrolled upon presentation to the nonhuman primate colony hospital. Analyses showed no significant differences in the length of treatment time, incidence of hospital-acquired diarrhea, nor change in the number of enteric pathogens detected in stool samples collected on Days 0 and 7 associated with pairing status. These findings support our hypotheses, and we conclude that this study provides no evidence to support using concerns of prolonged treatment times, hospital-acquired diarrhea, and enteric pathogen transmission between conspecifics to limit social housing in a hospital setting. Therefore, we recommend that clinical and behavioral teams work together to advocate for social housing of clinically ill or injured patients.
Insights
Social housing for rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in hospital settings does not prolong treatment, increase diarrhea, or spread pathogens. This study supports pairing animals to improve their wellbeing during clinical care.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Primate Welfare
- Infectious Disease Control
Background:
- Rhesus macaques in breeding colonies may need hospitalization.
- Social housing benefits psychosocial wellbeing but raises concerns about pathogen transmission and wound tampering during clinical treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if paired social housing during hospitalization affects treatment duration, hospital-acquired diarrhea, and enteric pathogen transmission.
- To test the hypothesis that pairing status does not significantly impact these clinical outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 591 macaques with digit injuries (6.5 years).
- Prospective study of 40 macaques admitted to a nonhuman primate hospital.
- Comparison of clinical outcomes (treatment time, diarrhea incidence, pathogen detection) between paired and unpaired animals.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were found in treatment length between paired and unpaired macaques.
- The incidence of hospital-acquired diarrhea did not differ based on housing status.
- No significant changes in enteric pathogen detection were observed between paired and unpaired groups.
Conclusions:
- This study provides no evidence that paired housing increases treatment time, diarrhea, or pathogen transmission in hospitalized rhesus macaques.
- Concerns about negative clinical outcomes should not preclude social housing for clinically ill or injured nonhuman primates.
- Clinical and behavioral teams should collaborate to advocate for social housing for hospitalized patients to promote wellbeing.
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