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Macaca mulatta--a new host for Choanotaenia cestodes
Laboratory Animal Science
|June 1, 1980
Summary
A juvenile rhesus macaque died from a sudden illness, found to be infected with Choanotaenia infundibulum tapeworms. This parasite, typically found in birds, has never before been documented in nonhuman primates.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Primate Health
- Zoonotic Disease Research
Background:
- Choanotaenia infundibulum tapeworms are common parasites of avian species.
- Nonhuman primates are susceptible to a range of parasitic infections.
- Understanding host-parasite specificity is crucial for disease management.
Observation:
- A juvenile rhesus macaque (Macacca mulatta) presented with peracute illness and subsequent death.
- Necropsy revealed approximately 25 mature Choanotaenia infundibulum tapeworms within the host.
- This finding represents a novel host-parasite association.
Findings:
- The cestode Choanotaenia infundibulum was identified in a nonhuman primate, a previously unreported host.
- The infection was associated with a fatal peracute illness in the juvenile macaque.
- This case challenges the known host range of Choanotaenia infundibulum.
Implications:
- This discovery necessitates a re-evaluation of the potential host spectrum for Choanotaenia infundibulum.
- It highlights the risk of cross-species parasite transmission and the emergence of novel parasitic diseases in primate populations.
- Further research is needed to understand the pathogenesis and transmission dynamics of this parasite in nonhuman primates.