A survey of the prevalence of Anatrichosoma sp. in nasal cavities of cynomolgus monkeys

Microscopic examination of 45 nasal swab samples of cynomolgus monkeys revealed that three of them were positive for Anatrichosoma sp. In the tissue sections of nasal mucosa collected from positive monkeys, female worms were consistently seen in the stratified squamous epithelial layer of the nasal mucosa. Epithelial layer thickening and parakeratosis were evident in nasal mucosa adjacent to female worms. Male worms were consistently seen in the submucosa and chronic inflammatory reactions was observed around them.     

利用恒河婴猴模型对肠道病毒71型传播感染特征的生物学分析

本文在前期工作基础上,进一步对肠道病毒71型(EV71)从恒河婴猴的感染个体向其他未感染个体传播的可能性及相关生物学特性做了初步分析.通过喷雾形式经呼吸道感染1~2月龄恒河婴猴(A组);在观察临床症状同时,于感染后第7天,取该组动物粪便处理后,将上清液以喷雾形式经呼吸道感染新的婴猴个体(B组),随后对该次代感染个体进行...     

Metabolism of daidzein by intestinal bacteria from rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

PURPOSE: To identify the metabolites produced from an isoflavonoid, daidzein, by colonic bacteria of rhesus monkeys. METHODS: The metabolism of daidzein by the fecal bacteria of nine monkeys was investigated. Daidzein was incubated anaerobically with fecal bacteria, and the metabolites were analyzed by use of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The fecal bacteria of all of the monkeys metabolized daidzein to various extents. Dihydrodaidzein was found in cultures of fecal bacteria from two monkeys; dihydrodaidzein and equol were found in cultures from four monkeys; dihydrodaidzein, equol, and an unknown metabolite (MW = 244) were found in cultures from one monkey; and dihydrodaidzein and the unknown metabolite were found in cultures from two monkeys. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to that in humans, variation was evident in the metabolism of isoflavonoids by fecal bacteria from rhesus monkeys. Some metabolites produced by fecal bacteria from monkeys were the same as those produced by fecal bacteria from humans.     

Fecal Streptococci on Barley and Malt Kernels and Instant Malted Milk Powder

Among 500 barley kernels, tested singly, 1.8% (9 kernels) were positive for fecal streptococci. Among 800 malt kernels, tested singly by the same procedure, 68% (540 kernels) were positive for fecal streptococci. In unsulfured and sulfured malts, 67 and 68% of the kernels, respectively, were positive for these bacteria. Fecal streptococci were also isolated by an enrichment procedure from two brands of instant malted milk powder sold in supermarkets. Seventy randomly picked isolates from malts were identified to be fecal streptococci, belonging probably to more than one species.     

Comparison of gull feces-specific assays targeting the 16S rRNA genes of Catellicoccus marimammalium and Streptococcus spp

Two novel gull-specific quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays were developed using 16S rRNA gene sequences from gull fecal clone libraries: a SYBR green assay targeting Streptococcus spp. (gull3) and a hydrolysis TaqMan assay targeting Catellicoccus marimammalium (gull4). The objectives of this study were to compare the host specificity of a previous C. marimammalium qPCR assay (gull2) with that of the new markers and to examine the presence of the three gull markers in environmental water samples from different geographic locations. Most of the gull fecal samples tested (n = 255) generated positive signals with the gull2 and gull4 assays (i.e., >86%), whereas only 28% were positive with gull3. Low prevalence and abundance of tested gull markers (0.6 to 15%) were observed in fecal samples from six nonavian species (n = 180 fecal samples), whereas the assays cross-reacted to some extent (13 to 31%) with other (nongull) avian fecal samples. The gull3 assay was positive against fecal samples from 11 of 15 avian species, including gull. Of the presumed gull-impacted water samples (n = 349), 86%, 59%, and 91% were positive with the gull2, the gull3, and the gull4 assays, respectively. Approximately 5% of 239 non-gull-impacted water samples were positive with the gull2 and the gull4 assays, whereas 21% were positive witg the gull3 assay. While the relatively high occurrence of gull2 and gull4 markers in waters impacted by gull feces suggests that these assays could be used in environmental monitoring studies, the data also suggest that multiple avian-specific assays will be needed to accurately assess the contribution of different avian sources in recreational waters.     

安徽恒河猴的微生物学和寄生虫学检测

对安徽省实验猕猴中心的安徽恒河猴进行了微生物（包括病毒和病原菌）和寄生虫检测。对恒河猴的病毒检测结果发现,猕猴疱疹病毒1型（BV）和猴痘病毒（SPV）抗体的阳性率分别为20．7％（6／29）和10．0％（2／20）,20只恒河猴中没有发现猴反转录D型病毒（SRV）、猴免疫缺陷病毒（SIV）和猴T细胞趋向性病毒Ⅰ型（STLV—1）的抗体。5只受检的人工繁育的安徽恒河猴没有感染沙门菌、皮肤病原真菌、志贺菌和结核分枝杆菌的这四种病原菌。肉眼检测恒河猴体表,未发现体外寄生虫。39份人工繁殖的恒河猴粪便样品的总寄生虫感染率为38．5％,检测到溶组织内阿米巴和5种蠕虫（粪类圆线虫、猴结节线虫、绦虫、钩虫、蛔虫）,感染率最高的是粪类圆线虫和猴结节线虫。本次调查表明,安徽恒河猴无特殊疾病,健康状况基本良好,可以建立普通级的实验恒河猴,实现安徽恒河猴的实验动物化。     

Serological survey for two simian retroviruses in macaques and African green monkeys

Colonies of nonhuman primates at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine (BGSM) were tested for antibodies to two retroviruses associated with immunodeficiency by indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) and western blot. A total of 471 cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis), 144 rhesus monkeys (M. mulatta) and 67 stumptail monkey M. arctoides) were tested for SRV-1, and 152 African green monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) were tested for SIV. Of the macaques tested, 170 (36%) cynomolgus, 5 (3%) rhesus and 8 (12%) stumptails were positive for SRV-1 antibodies by IFA. Of the African green monkeys, 54 (36%) were IFA positive for SIV antibodies. A total of 143 African green monkeys tested by IFA also were tested by western blot. In the African green monkeys, the IFA had a positive predictive value of 98% and a negative predictive value of 96%. Of 176 IFA positive macaque sera tested by western blot, 49 (28%) were positive, 55 (31%) were considered equivocal (only one band, usually to p27 core protein), and 72 (41%) were negative.     

Fecal corticosterone, body mass, and caching rates of Carolina chickadees (Poecile carolinensis) from disturbed and undisturbed sites

We tested for hormonal and behavioral differences between Carolina chickadees (Poecile carolinensis) taken from a disturbed (recently logged) forest, an undisturbed forest, or a residential site. We measured fecal corticosterone and body mass levels in the field, and fecal corticosterone, body mass, and caching behavior in an aviary experiment. In the field, birds from the disturbed forest exhibited significantly higher fecal corticosterone levels than birds from either the undisturbed forest or from the residential site. Birds from the disturbed forest also exhibited lower body mass than those from the undisturbed forest but higher body mass than those from the residential site. Our aviary results suggest that these physiological differences between field sites are the result of short-term responses to ecological factors: neither body mass nor fecal corticosterone levels varied between birds captured at different sites. Aviary sample sizes were sufficient to detect seasonal variation in fecal corticosterone (lowest in summer), body mass (highest in spring), and rate of gain in body mass (highest in winter). Under "closed-economy" aviary conditions (all food available from a feeder in the aviary), there were no site differences in the percent of seeds taken from the feeder that were cached. However, under "open-economy" conditions (food occasionally available ad libitum), significantly fewer seeds were cached by birds from the disturbed forest compared to the undisturbed or residential sites. On average, there was only a two-fold difference in population levels of fecal corticosterone. This difference is about the same as an increase in fecal corticosterone induced by a 2-h increase in food deprivation and cannot be considered to be an acute stress response to disturbance.     

Monitoring the reproductive status of Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) by measurement of the steroid hormones in fecal samples

The menstrual cycles as well as the pregnancy in female Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) were monitored by measuring the fecal estradiol concentrations and relative amounts of fecal progesterone. Steroids from fecal samples were extracted by using a previously developed simplified two-step method and then measured by radioimmunoassay. We successfully demonstrated that the two-step method is effective and convenient for monitoring the reproductive status of Japanese monkeys.     

Selection and pairing of 'normal' rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) for research: procedures, techniques, and observations.

A selection process has been developed by the authors to insure investigators that animal subjects used in their experiments will accurately reflect biological changes associated with the project design. The procedure involved the following: complete physical examination; complete hemogram, serum electrolytes, serum biochemistry, body weight; and anthropometric determinations; aging by dentition; electrocardiography; total-body radiography; fecal culture; fecal ova, and parasite examinations; and examination of other conditions. Arithmetic means and standard deviations were calculated and used to eliminate monkeys whose values varied from the mean by more than two standard deviations.     

Coproantigen survey for Echinococcus multilocularis prevalence of red foxes in Hokkaido, Japan

An epidemiological survey was conducted on the seasonal variation of Echinococcus multilocularis prevalence in red foxes from 1997 to 1998, using a monoclonal antibody-based detection of the tapeworm coproantigen. Thirty-six breeding dens of reproductive fox families were identified in the endemic area of Koshimizu, eastern Hokkaido, Japan. Fecal samples from each site were examined by coproantigen detection assay and fecal egg examination. Whereas the prevalence of coproantigen positive feces showed no seasonal fluctuation (51.6-66.7%), variation was found in the prevalence of egg positive feces in which a higher prevalence was observed in the summer and winter (31.1 and 38.7%) than spring and autumn (13.3 and 13.5%). Significant differences were observed between juveniles and adult foxes in both examinations. Samples from juvenile foxes gave higher coproantigen positive results and taeniid egg intensity. Those results suggest more juveniles infected with the cestode than adults in the same period. The practical use of coproantigen assay as a survey tool and factors which affect the prevalence and host age-related difference are discussed.     

Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) are natural hosts of specific Staphylococcus aureus lineages

Currently, there is no animal model known that mimics natural nasal colonization by Staphylococcus aureus in humans. We investigated whether rhesus macaques are natural nasal carriers of S. aureus. Nasal swabs were taken from 731 macaques. S. aureus isolates were typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), spa repeat sequencing and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), and compared with human strains. Furthermore, the isolates were characterized by several PCRs. Thirty-nine percent of 731 macaques were positive for S. aureus. In general, the macaque S. aureus isolates differed from human strains as they formed separate PFGE clusters, 50% of the isolates were untypeable by agr genotyping, 17 new spa types were identified, which all belonged to new sequence types (STs). Furthermore, 66% of macaque isolates were negative for all superantigen genes. To determine S. aureus nasal colonization, three nasal swabs from 48 duo-housed macaques were taken during a 5 month period. In addition, sera were analyzed for immunoglobulin G and A levels directed against 40 staphylococcal proteins using a bead-based flow cytometry technique. Nineteen percent of the animals were negative for S. aureus, and 17% were three times positive. S. aureus strains were easily exchanged between macaques. The antibody response was less pronounced in macaques compared to humans, and nasal carrier status was not associated with differences in serum anti-staphylococcal antibody levels. In conclusion, rhesus macaques are natural hosts of S. aureus, carrying host-specific lineages. Our data indicate that rhesus macaques are useful as an autologous model for studying S. aureus nasal colonization and infection prevention.     

Serological evidence for hepatitis e virus infection in laboratory monkeys and pigs in animal facilities in Japan

In laboratory animal facilities, monkeys and pigs are used for animal experiments, but the details of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in these animals are unknown. The risk of infection from laboratory animals to humans has become a concern; therefore, much attention should be paid to the handling of these animals during their care and use, including surgical procedures performed on infected animals. In this connection, serum samples collected from 916 monkeys and 77 pigs kept in 23 animal facilities belonging to the Japanese Association of Laboratory Animal Facilities of National University Corporations (JALAN) and the Japanese Association of Laboratory Animal Facilities of Public and Private Universities (JALAP) in Japan were examined for the purpose of detecting antibodies to HEV and HEV RNA by using ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. One hundred and seven serum samples of 916 (11.7%) monkeys were positive for anti-HEV IgG, and 7 and 17 serum samples of 916 (0.8% and 5.3%) monkeys were positive for anti-HEV IgM and IgA, respectively. Thirty-six samples from 62 (58.1%) farm pigs were positive for anti-HEV IgG, whereas all samples tested from miniature pigs were negative (0/15, 0%). Seven samples from 62 (9.1%) farm pigs and 7 samples from 916 (0.8%) monkeys were positive for IgM antibody, but these HEV-IgM antibody positive serum samples were HEV-RNA negative by RT-PCR. The IgM antibody positive rate (9.1%) of farm pigs was much higher than that of monkeys (0.8%). These results suggest the relative levels of risk of HEV infection from these animals to animal handlers and researchers who work with them in laboratory animal facilities.     

Malaria, arbovirus and hepatitis infections in Macaca fascicularis from Malaysia

Naturally occurring malaria, arbovirus infection and hepatitis in monkeys can be a hazard for the investigator and might interfere with the outcome of experiments. 63 young adult Macaca fascicularis from Malaysia were screened for these infections. About 1 year after their arrival in France, parasitaemia due to Plasmodium spp., was present in 6.4% of the animals and specific antibodies in 55.5%. 19 of 35 initially positive monkeys were tested again 2 years later. Parasitaemia was found in 1 of 4 monkeys and antibodies in 11 of 19 monkeys which were initially positive. 9 of the monkeys initially tested had low titres of antibodies to the Flavivirus genus. All animals were negative for the hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-HBc. The prevalence of IgG antibodies against hepatitis A was 46.0%. The implications in terms of control are discussed.     

Enteric trichomonads of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sp): Natural infestation and treatment

In a large breeding colony of squirrel monkeys, a previous study demonstrated apparent universal infestation of adult animals with enteric trichomonads. The potential of these organisms to act as a source of experimental variability and the potential pathogenic effects of parasitism in this species stimulated this study of organism acquisition and treatment. Age of natural infestation with trichomonads was determined from results of microscopic examination and culture of fecal samples from infants of different ages. A majority of squirrel monkey infants showed first evidence of trichomoniasis at 2 to 4 weeks of age, with apparent 100% infestation by 8 weeks of age. Treatment of adult monkeys was investigated. In vitro techniques were utilized to determine sensitivity to metronidazole of a number of isolates. An effective regimen for treatment of adult monkeys was determined to be 25 mg/kg body weight of metronidazole given orally, twice daily for 5 days.     

A serological survey of simian virus 40 in monkeys

A serological survey of simian virus 40 (SV 40) was conducted by an immune adherence hemagglutination (IAHA) test in breeding monkeys. Of a total of 356 monkeys tested, 168 (47.2%) were seropositive. All 168 seropositive monkeys were detected from 224 monkeys which were bred or kept in Japan for a long time. In contrast, none of the 132 monkeys which were newly imported from Southeast Asia was seropositive. If a comparison was made in the same breeding place, the positive rate of 80.4% (111/138) of Japanese monkeys was significantly (P less than 0.01) higher than the 59.5% (25/42) among rhesus monkeys. The positive rate and the IAHA titers were higher in older age group (greater than 5 years) but similar in male and female. These results indicated that SV 40 was highly prevalent among breeding monkeys in Japan.     

Epidemiology and potential land-sea transfer of enteric bacteria from terrestrial to marine species in the Monterey Bay Region of California

Marine mammals are at risk for infection by fecal-associated zoonotic pathogens when they swim and feed in polluted nearshore marine waters. Because of their tendency to consume 25-30% of their body weight per day in coastal filter-feeding invertebrates, southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) can act as sentinels of marine ecosystem health in California. Feces from domestic and wildlife species were tested to determine prevalence, potential virulence, and diversity of selected opportunistic enteric bacterial pathogens in the Monterey Bay region. We hypothesized that if sea otters are sentinels of coastal health, and fecal pollution flows from land to sea, then sea otters and terrestrial animals might share the same enteric bacterial species and strains. Twenty-eight percent of fecal samples tested during 2007-2010 were positive for one or more potential pathogens. Campylobacter spp. were isolated most frequently, with an overall prevalence of 11%, followed by Vibrio cholerae (9%), Salmonella spp. (6%), V. parahaemolyticus (5%), and V. alginolyticus (3%). Sea otters were found positive for all target bacteria, exhibiting similar prevalences for Campylobacter and Salmonella spp. but greater prevalences for Vibrio spp. when compared to terrestrial animals. Fifteen Salmonella serotypes were detected, 11 of which were isolated from opossums. This is the first report of sea otter infection by S. enterica Heidelberg, a serotype also associated with human clinical disease. Similar strains of S. enterica Typhimurium were identified in otters, opossums, and gulls, suggesting the possibility of land-sea transfer of enteric bacterial pathogens from terrestrial sources to sea otters.     

Detection and cultivation of intestinal trichomonads of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus)

Routine examinations of fecal samples from squirrel monkeys suggested that intestinal trichomonads might be common inhabitants of these animals. In pursuit of these observations, microscopic examination of fecal suspensions and cultures have demonstrated a 100% incidence of trichomonads in 30 arbitrarily selected animals from a colony of more than 300 housed in groups of ten. The most prominent species was Pentatrichomonas hominis. A not yet fully characterized tritrichomonad was also found on several occasions. The main obstacle in establishing individual strains in culture was the presence of bacterial and fungal flora in the samples. Nevertheless, abundant cultures were obtained from 28 animals by inoculation of fecal suspensions into tissue cultures with appropriately formulated medium and high concentration of antibiotics. In several unattended cultures maintained at room temperature, the flagellates retained motility for at least 4 months. This long survival may explain the widespread occurrence of the parasites within a confined animal community.     

Timing and Risk Factors for a Positive Fecal Immunochemical Test in Subsequent Screening for Colorectal Neoplasms

Background

Following a negative test, the performance of fecal immunochemical testing in the subsequent screening round is rarely reported. It is crucial to allocate resources to participants who are more likely to test positive subsequently following an initial negative result.

Objective

To identify risk factors associated with a positive result in subsequent screening.

Methods

Dataset was composed of consecutive participants who voluntarily underwent fecal tests and colonoscopy in a routine medical examination at the National Taiwan University Hospital between January 2007 and December 2011. Risk factor assessment of positive fecal test in subsequent screening was performed by using the Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

Our cohort consisted of 3783 participants during a 5-year period. In three rounds of subsequent testing, 3783, 1537, and 624 participants underwent fecal tests, respectively; 5.7%, 5.1%, and 3.9% tested positive, respectively, and the positive predictive values were 40.2%, 20.3%, and 20.8%, respectively. Age ≥60 years (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.21–1.93) and male gender (1.32, 95% CI: 1.02–1.69) were risk factors; however, an interaction between age and gender was noted. Men had higher risk than women when they were <60 years of age (p = 0.002), while this difference was no longer observed when ≥60 years of age (p = 0.74). The optimal interval of screening timing for participant with baseline negative fecal test was 2 years.

Conclusions

Following a negative test, older age and male gender are risk factors for a positive result in the subsequent rounds while the gender difference diminishes with age. Biennial screening is sufficient following a negative fecal test.