Characterization ofCampylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter upsaliensis,and a novelCampylobacter sp. in a captive non‐human primate zoological collection

Abstract

Background:The aim of this study was to longitudinally investigate the prevalence and characterization of Campylobacter spp. from non-human primates primate (NHP) with a history of endemic diarrhea housed at Como Park Zoo.Methods: Fecal samples from 33 symptom-free NHP belonging to eight different species were collected weekly for 9 weeks. Species-level characterization and phylogenetic analysis of isolates included biochemical testing and 16S rRNA sequencing.Results: Campylobacter spp. were isolated from the feces of 42% (14/33) of the primates. Three Campylobacter spp. (C upsaliensis, C jejuni, and novel Campylobacter sp.)were identified from three NHP species. A possible positive host Campylobacter species-specificity was observed. However, no statistical association was observed between the isolation of Campylobacter spp. and age and sex of the animal. Conclusions:The study revealed the value of conducting repeated fecal sampling to establish the overall prevalence of Campylobacter in zoo-maintained NHP; it also importantly identifies a novel Campylobacter sp. isolated from white-faced saki monkeys. K E Y W O R D SCampylobacter, captivity, diarrhea, gastrointestinal tract, non-human primate | 115 CLAYTON eT AL.

Draft Genome Sequences of Novel Campylobacter Species Isolated from Nonhuman Primates

“…Average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) analysis using pyani (version 0.2.10) ( 10 ) and the Genome-to-Genome Distance Calculator (version 2.1; accessed 3 April 2020) ( 11 ), respectively, confirmed that all the genomes were novel Campylobacter species. Also, ANI and dDDH analysis determined that Campylobacter species strain MIT 12-5580 from lemurs and Campylobacter species strain MIT 19-121 from marmosets are both the same species as Campylobacter species strain MIT 12-8780 from the white-faced saki (GenBank accession number QHLL01000000 ) ( 12 ).…”

Novel strains of Campylobacter cause diarrheal outbreak in Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) of Kathmandu Valley

“…Due to NHP’s high genomic similarities and close evolutionary relationships to humans, and similar gut flora detected in developing countries, the risk of zoonotic transfer of pathogenic strains of bacteria like Campylobacter is highly probable [ 16 , 17 ]. Previous studies have detected presence of the bacteria in captive NHPs in the United States [ 18 ], New Zealand [ 19 ], and in Kenya [ 15 ]. Presence of pathogenic strains of the bacteria in healthy and asymptomatic monkeys [ 3 ] poses even higher risk of zoonotic spillover through direct physical contact or indirectly as a potential source of environmental contamination by fecal matter [ 20 ].…”

Novel strains of Campylobacter cause diarrheal outbreak in Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) of Kathmandu Valley

“…Due to NHP’s high genomic similarities and close evolutionary relationships to humans, and similar gut flora detected in developing countries, the risk of zoonotic transfer of pathogenic strains of bacteria like Campylobacter is highly probable [14,15]. Previous studies have detected presence of the bacteria in captive NHPs in the United States [16], New Zealand [17], and in Kenya [13]. Presence of pathogenic strains of the bacteria in healthy and asymptomatic monkeys[1] poses even higher risk of zoonotic spillover through direct physical contact or indirectly as a potential source of environmental contamination by fecal matter [18].…”