Experimental infections of baboons (<i>Papio</i> spp.) and vervet monkeys (<i>Cercopithecus aethiops</i>) with <i>Trichinella zimbabwensis</i> and successful treatment with ivermectin

Abstract

Experimental Trichinella zimbabwensis infections were established in three baboons (Papios p.)and four vervet monkeys (Cercopithecuase thiops) and the clinical-pathological manifestations assessed. The infected animals showed clinical signs ranging from fever, diarrhoea, periorbitaol edema and muscular pain in varying degrees. One baboon became blind due to the infection. Levels of creatinine phosphokinase and lactated ehydrogenase increased to reach a peak on Day 42 post-infection(pi)for both baboons and monkeys. Blood parameters such as packed cell volume, levels of red blood cells and white blood cells did not change significantly from the normal ranges except for the levels of eosinophils which peaked above the normal ranges at Day 28 and 56 pi in baboons and at Day 56 pi in monkeys.

New pieces of the Trichinella puzzle

“…Trichinella zimbabwensis has not yet been documented in humans. However, experimental infections in vervet monkeys and baboons resulted in severe clinical signs noted by high fever, diarrhoea, periorbital edema and muscular pains which are consistent with being a viable human pathogen (Mukaratirwa et al, 2008). The distribution of this species is still unknown, but we can speculate that T. zimbabwensis is present throughout sub-saharan Africa.…”

“…It has also been found in Nile monitors in Zimbabwe (Pozio et al, 2007; http://www.iss.it/site/Trichinella/scripts/) and in a lion in South Africa which is the only mammal infected with T. zimbabwensis detected in nature to date (La Grange et al, 2010). Experimental infections have shown a broad spectrum of susceptible homeothermic and poikilothermic hosts ranging from laboratory mice and rats, pigs, foxes, primates, caimans and savannah monitors to Burmese pythons and the African helmeted turtles, albeit to a lesser degree (Mukaratirwa and Foggin, 1999;Pozio et al, 2002Pozio et al, , 2004Hurníková et al, 2004;Mukaratirwa et al, 2008). Trichinella zimbabwensis has not yet been documented in humans.…”

Metabolic and adaptive immune responses induced in mice infected with tissue-dwelling nematode <i>Trichinella zimbabwensis</i>

“…Trichinella zimbabwensis is a non-encapsulated zoonotic nematode that is prevalent and widely distributed in Southern Africa where it infects a wide variety of animals (Mukaratirwa and Foggin, 1999;Pozio et al, 2002;Mukaratirwa et al, 2008Mukaratirwa et al, , 2013La Grange et al, 2009. The parasite has potential of causing future outbreaks of human trichinellosis in sub-Sharan Africa due to its capability to infect non-human primates and increase in risk factors like poor animal rearing systems, increased animal product movements and human-wildlife-livestock interactions (Murrell et al, 2005;Mukaratirwa et al, 2008Mukaratirwa et al, , 2013Gottstein et al, 2009). Trichinella infection is acquired through ingestion of raw or undercooked meat infected with Trichinella muscle larvae (Nöckler et al, 2000).…”

Epidemiology and hypothetical transmission cycles ofTrichinellainfections in the Greater Kruger National Park of South Africa: an example of host-parasite interactions in an environment with minimal human interactions

“…Trichinella zimbabwensis has also been detected in farmed crocodiles in South Africa (DAFF, personal communication). This parasite species was proved experimentally to be infective to mammals and reptiles [51][52][53]70] and notably, domestic pigs [44,52]. No known cases of human disease have been associated with T. zimbabwensis.…”

“…Furthermore, it has also been detected in farmed crocodiles in South Africa (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), personal communication). This species is infective to mammals and reptiles [51][52][53]74].…”