Lab Anim Res.  2011 Dec;27(4):343-346. 10.5625/lar.2011.27.4.343.

Shigella flexneri infection in a newly acquired rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta)

• Lee JI
• Kim SJ
• Park CG

• KMID: 1444968
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5625/lar.2011.27.4.343

Abstract

A 3.4 year-old rhesus macaque weighing 4.5 kg, was suffering from anorexia, acute mucous and bloody diarrhea. On physical examination, the monkey showed a loss of activity, hunched posture, abdominal pain, dehydration, mild gingivitis and unclean anus with discharge. Whole blood was collected for the examination of electrolytes, hematology and serum chemistry; fresh stool was also collected for bacterial culture. Blood profiles showed leukocytosis (14.5 K/microL) and neutrophilia (11.0 K/microL) on complete blood cell count and imbalanced electrolytes associated with diarrhea. As a result of bacterial culture, Shigella flexneri was identified through Mac/SS, IMVIC test, TCBS and VITEK II. Based on these results, this monkey was diagnosed as having acute enteritis caused by Shigella flexneri. Treatment was performed with enrofloxacin prior to the isolation of Shigella flexneri to prevent the transmission of disease. Fortunately, mucus and bloody diarrhea did not persist and general conditions fully recovered. Our results show that the use of enrofloxacin is effective in controlling Shigella flexneri infection in newly acquired rhesus monkeys.

Keyword

Shigella flexneri; bloody diarrhea; enrofloxacin; rhesus macaque

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Anal Canal
Anorexia
Blood Cell Count
Dehydration
Diarrhea
Electrolytes
Enteritis
Fluoroquinolones
Gingivitis
Haplorhini
Hematology
Leukocytosis
Macaca mulatta
Mucus
Physical Examination
Posture
Shigella
Shigella flexneri
Stress, Psychological
Electrolytes
Fluoroquinolones

Figure

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  Figure 1 (A) Fresh bloody stool lasting for two days, showed gradual increases in frequency and volume with a foul smell. (B) The perianal region was observed with a bloody discharge.

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  Figure 2 (A) Colorless or black colonies grown on the Mac/SSa were subcultured in BAP. (B) IMVIC test showed negative for indole, motility and H2S in SIM broth, negative in citrate and K/A in triple sugar iron agar. (C) Oxidase-negative result was seen for colony grown in thiosulfate-citrate-bile-sucrose media.

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