title: Circulation of Campylobacter spp. in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) held in captivity: a longitudinal study.
abstract: Campylobacteriosis is an extremely important zoonosis, circulating freely in the environment. In nonhuman primates kept in open facilities and bred for experimental purposes, the presence of Campylobacter spp. could cause severe damage to the production and interfere with the results of scientific research. In this paper, we assessed the circulation of Campylobacter spp. in a colony of clinically healthy rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) destined to research. The analysis was carried out during seven non-consecutive years. Data showed that despite several changes made in animal management along the studied years in order to control this zoonosis, reduction of bacterial charge did not occur. Significant differences among the age groups and sex were observed. Infants showed higher susceptibility than adult animals. In general males were more infected than females. Modifications adopted in the handling techniques need to be reviewed with the intent of improving the production, reducing bacterial infection of the stock and avoiding undesirable cross reactions in the research carried out with these animals. Therefore, this paper alerts professionals that work directly with captive rhesus monkeys about the risks of Campylobacter spp. infection and possible interference on the experimental procedures.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Primatologia, Centro de Criação de Animais de Laboratório, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-900, Brasil. andrade@fiocruz.br
authors.forename: Márcia Cristina Ribeiro
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: Sanny Cerqueira de Oliveira
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Gabeira
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Abreu-Lopes
authors.forename: Wagner Thadeu Cardoso
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Esteves
authors.forename: Mônica de Castro Britto
authors.initials: Mde C
authors.lastname: Vilardo
authors.forename: Jacqueline D'arc da Silva
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Thomé
authors.forename: Pedro Hernan
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Cabello
authors.forename: Ana Luzia
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Lauria-Filgueiras
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory / Q000382:microbiology*; D002167:Campylobacter / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008253:Macaca mulatta / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008992:Monkey Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*