Dientamoeba fragilis: initial evidence of pathogenicity in the western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla).
A 7-yr-old female western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) shared an enclosure with 10 other gorillas at the Limbe Wildlife Centre (LWC), a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Cameroon. The gorilla had been living at the LWC for more than 6 yr prior to the exhibition of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like clinical signs. The gorilla improved dramatically after metronidazole therapy. The report suggests that metronidazole was effective because it eliminated the protozoa, Dientamoeba fragilis. Dientamoeba fragilis should be considered on the differential diagnosis list of any captive gorilla with IBS-like symptoms.
Lankester
Felix
F
Limbe Wildlife Centre, Limbe Botanic Garden Street, Limbe, South West Region, Cameroon. felixlankester@gmail.com
Kiyang
John Anyam
JA
Bailey
Wendi
W
Unwin
Steve
S
D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018420:Ape Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004029:Dientamoeba; D004030:Dientamoebiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006071:Gorilla gorilla; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D008795:Metronidazole