title: Detection of Echinococcus multilocularis infection in a colony of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) using serology and ultrasonography.
abstract: Five animals in a colony of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) died or were euthanatized because of alveolar echinococcosis, during a period of 5 years. The remainder of the colony was screened for possible infection with Echinococcus multilocularis, using serology and ultrasonography. A total of 46 animals out of a group of 55 were examined. The presence of anti-Em2 antibodies analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was demonstrated in 3 monkeys. In 2 of these 3 monkeys, multilocular structures compatible with metacestodal cysts in the liver were identified, using ultrasonography. The presence of alveolar echinococcosis was subsequently confirmed at postmortem examination in 1 animal. The other animals are still alive. Two other monkeys were negative in the serological examination but had cystic structures in the liver, which were identified as bile duct cysts at postmortem examination in 1 animal. The other monkey is still alive. These findings suggest that serology for antibodies against the Em2 antigen may represent a useful method in identifying animals that might be infected with E. multilocularis and are therefore at risk of developing fatal alveolar echinococcosis.
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Fisch und Wildtiermedizin, the Institut für Tierpathologie, Universität Bern, Berne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rehmann
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gröne
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gottstein
authors.forename: Jürg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Völlm
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sager
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Janovsky
authors.forename: Luca N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Bacciarini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood*; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D048210:Echinococcus multilocularis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000469:parasitology; D008252:Macaca fascicularis / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D008992:Monkey Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000469:parasitology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth