Naturally occurring Ehrlichia chaffeensis infection in two prosimian primate species: ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) and ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata).
A naturally occurring infection of Ehrlichia chaffeensis in lemurs is described. DNA of Ehrlichia chaffeensis was identified by polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood from six of eight clinically ill lemurs. Organisms were cultured from the blood of one lemur exhibiting clinical and hematologic abnormalities similar to those of humans infected with E. chaffeensis.
Williams
Cathy V
CV
Duke University Primate Center, Durham, North Carolina 27705, USA. cathy.williams@duke.edu
Van Steenhouse
Jan L
JL
Bradley
Julie M
JM
Hancock
Susan I
SI
Hegarty
Barbara C
BC
Breitschwerdt
Edward B
EB
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary*; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018469:Ehrlichia chaffeensis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D007900:Lemur; D009657:North Carolina; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004318:Doxycycline