Genetic identification of an oxyurid from a captive, black-handed spider monkey--implications for treatment and control.

Abstract

Parasites are of major clinical significance in captive primates in zoos, particularly those with direct life cycles. Oxyurid nematodes can be a persistent problem, as infection intensity and environmental contamination with infective eggs are usually high. Observations at the Basel Zoo in Switzerland have revealed that particularly black-handed spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) exhibit continuous oxyurid nematode infection(s), despite regular deworming with anthelmintics. In the present study, using a molecular approach, we were able to identify the nematode (Trypanoxyuris atelis) causing this ongoing problem, and we are now evaluating a practical treatment and control regimen to tackle this parasite problem.

• Authors: Anson V Koehler, Stéphanie Borel, Stefan Hoby, Brigitte Hentrich, Bruno Gottstein, Robin B Gasser
• Journal: Parasitology research (Parasitol Res) Vol. 113 Issue 9 Pg. 3445-8 (Sep 2014) ISSN: 1432-1955 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 25070576 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antinematodal Agents
• Cyclooxygenase 1

Topics

• Animals
• Animals, Zoo
• Antinematodal Agents (therapeutic use)
• Atelinae
• Cyclooxygenase 1 (genetics, metabolism)
• Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
• Monkey Diseases (drug therapy, epidemiology, parasitology)
• Nematoda (genetics, isolation & purification)
• Nematode Infections (drug therapy, epidemiology, parasitology, veterinary)
• Phylogeny
• Switzerland (epidemiology)