Longitudinal Characterization of Escherichia coli in Healthy Captive Non-Human Primates.

Jonathan B Clayton,Jessica L Danzeisen,Timothy J Johnson,Ava M Trent,Tami Murphy

doi:10.3389/fvets.2014.00024

Jonathan B Clayton, Jessica L Danzeisen + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2014.00024

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Abstract

The gastrointestinal (GI) tracts of non-human primates (NHPs) are well known to harbor Escherichia coli, a known commensal of human beings and animals. While E. coli is a normal inhabitant of the mammalian gut, it also exists in a number of pathogenic forms or pathotypes, including those with predisposition for the GI tract as well as the urogenital tract. Diarrhea in captive NHPs has long been a problem in both zoo settings and research colonies, including the Como Zoo. It is an animal welfare concern, as well as a public health concern. E. coli has not been extensively studied; therefore, a study was performed during the summer of 2009 in collaboration with a zoo in Saint Paul, MN, which was previously experiencing an increased incidence and severity of diarrhea among their NHP collection. Fresh fecal samples were collected weekly from each member of the primate collection, between June and August of 2009, and E. coli were isolated. A total of 33 individuals were included in the study, representing eight species. E. coli isolates were examined for their genetic relatedness, phylogenetic relationships, plasmid replicon types, virulence gene profiles, and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles. A number of isolates were identified containing virulence genes commonly found in several different E. coli pathotypes, and there was evidence of clonal transmission of isolates between animals and over time. Overall, the manifestation of chronic diarrhea in the Como Zoo primate collection is a complex problem whose solution will require regular screening for microbial agents and consideration of environmental causes. This study provides some insight toward the sharing of enteric bacteria between such animals.

Highlights

Escherichia coli is a Gram-negative bacteria and known gut commensal of animals, including non-human primates (NHPs) [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11]
We examined E. coli isolates from 33 NHPs within a single zoo over a 7-week period, surveying genetic relatedness using a sequence-based approach, phylogenetic types, plasmid replicon types, virulence gene profiles, and antimicrobial www.frontiersin.org
The Geoffroy’s tamarins were fully susceptible to all DISCUSSION For this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of pathogenic E. coli in a captive population of NHPs, to determine the genetic relatedness of E. coli over time and between co-habitating animal groups, to examine the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of E. coli isolates, and to assess the potential link between the zoo’s history of diarrhea with pathogenic E. coli presence

Summary

Introduction

Escherichia coli is a Gram-negative bacteria and known gut commensal of animals, including non-human primates (NHPs) [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11]. The ubiquity and ease of isolation of E. coli have enabled ecological studies to investigate how anthropogenic change (e.g., forest fragmentation) affects bacterial transmission among wildlife, including primates, human beings, and livestock [18,19,20,21]. Information generated from these types of studies provides insight into the disease transmission process, enabling for the calculation of potential risk factors associated with human encroachment on wildlife populations and vice versa [18,19,20,21]. Such studies aid in the development and implementation of conservation strategies to protect endangered wildlife [18,19,20,21]

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