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Vet Pathol 44:327-334 (2007)
© 2007 American College of Veterinary Pathologists

Epizootic of Tularemia in an Outdoor Housed Group of Cynomolgus Monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)

K. Mätz-Rensing, A. Floto, A. Schrod, T. Becker, E. J. Finke, E. Seibold, W. D. Splettstoesser and F.-J Kaup

German Primate Center, Göttingen, Germany (KMR, AF, AS, TB, FJK), Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany (EJF, ES, WDS), Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Hospital Rostock, Germany (WDS)

Tularemia is a highly contagious infectious zoonosis, transmissible by inoculation, ingestion, or inhalation of the infectious agent Francisella tularensis. The disease is perpetuated by infected rodents, blood-sucking arthropods, and by contaminated water. Therefore, nonhuman primates housed outdoors may be at risk for exposure. An epizootic of F. tularensis occurred in an indoor/outdoor-housed group of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) at the German Primate Center. Tularemia was diagnosed in 18 out of 35 animals within a period of 2 years. Six animals died with unspecific clinical symptoms; 12 animals developed seroconversion and were still alive. Pathologic findings were similar in all monkeys that died and resembled the clinical picture of the human disease, including an ulceroglandular syndrome with local lymphadenopathy, gingivostomatitis, and systemic spread, with manifestations such as subacute necrotizing hepatitis, granulomatous splenitis, and pneumonia. Tularemia was diagnosed by culture, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and ELISA techniques. This is the largest outbreak in nonhuman primates and the first report of tularemia in cynomolgus monkeys. An overview of the recent literature about tularemia in nonhuman primates is given.

Key words: Francisella tularensis ssp. holarctica; immunohistochemistry; Macaca fascicularis; Old World monkey; oropharyngeal tularemia.

Request reprints from Dr. K. Mätz-Rensing, German Primate Center, Department of Infectious Pathology, Kellnerweg 4, D-37077 Göttingen, FRG (Germany). E-mail: kmaetz{at}gwdg.de






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Copyright © 2007 by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.