An outbreak of type C botulism in captive monkeys

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Toxicology
• Primate Health

Background:

• Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria.
• Type C botulism is often associated with contaminated animal feed, particularly in birds and mammals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cause of a sudden die-off in a group of captive primates.
• To identify the specific toxin responsible for the mortality event.

Main Methods:

• Necropsy and toxicological analysis of deceased primates.
• Detection of Clostridium botulinum type C toxin in animal tissues and feed samples.

Main Results:

• Rapid mortality occurred in squirrel monkeys, white-throated capuchins, and weeper capuchins.
• Clostridium botulinum type C toxin was identified in the chopped chicken feed consumed by the primates.
• The toxin was also detected in blood samples from nine of eleven affected animals and stomach contents of one animal.

Conclusions:

• The outbreak was confirmed as type C botulism, originating from contaminated chicken feed.
• Clostridium botulinum type C toxin exposure was the direct cause of death in the captive primate group.
• This highlights the importance of feed safety in preventing botulism in zoological collections.