Abstract:
In a group of 50 wild-caught vervet monkeys trapped for experimental studies, 23 developed severe diarrhoea
during the quarantine period. While 10 of these responded well to routine treatment with metronidazole,
kaomycin and oral electrolytes, 13 initially showed slight improvement but later relapsed. Five of
these failed to respond altogether and were euthanised. Fresh faecal samples were collected from the surviving
eight monkeys and analysed for microbiology and drug sensitivity. Campylobacter jejuni, sensitive
to erythromycin, was isolated from all the faecal samples. Following treatment with erythromycin, seven
monkeys recovered fully within ten days but one died before the end of therapy. This study indicates that
wild non-human primates may play a significant role as a reservoir of C. jejuni, whereby they may act as
natural carriers of this human pathogen. Screening for Campylobacter sp in newly acquired monkeys is
advisable as part of the quarantine procedures.
