Wagner Thadeu Cardoso Esteves

Circulation of Campylobacter spp. in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) held in captivity: a longitudinal study

Campylobacteriosis is an extremely important zoonosis, circulating freely in the environment. In nonhuman primates kept in open facilities and bred for experimental purposes, the presence of Campylobacter spp. could cause severe damage to the production and interfere with the results of scientific research. In this paper, we assessed the circulation of Campylobacter spp. in a colony of clinically healthy rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) destined to research. The analysis was carried out during seven non-consecutive years. Data showed that despite several changes made in animal management along the studied years in order to control this zoonosis, reduction of bacterial charge did not occur. Significant differences among the age groups and sex were observed. Infants showed higher susceptibility than adult animals. In general males were more infected than females. Modifications adopted in the handling techniques need to be reviewed with the intent of improving the production, reducing bacterial infection of the stock and avoiding undesirable cross reactions in the research carried out with these animals. Therefore, this paper alerts professionals that work directly with captive rhesus monkeys about the risks of Campylobacter spp. infection and possible interference on the experimental procedures.

Application of biochemical and polymerase chain reaction assays for identification of Campylobacter isolates from non-human primates

A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was performed on 167 thermophilic campylobacters isolated from non-human primates. Samples were first identified by phenotypic methods resulting in 64 Campylobacter jejuni and 103 C. coli strains. Four strains identified biochemically as C. coli, were then determined to be C. jejuni by PCR. Comparison of methodologies showed that the main discrepancies were attributed to the hippurate hydrolysis test and sensitivity to cephalothin and nalidixic acid. Analysis of data showed that the application of phenotypic methods should be supplemented by a molecular method to offer a more reliable Campylobacter identification.

Searching to combine technologies for safer food attainment

Campylobacteriosis is an infection frequently acquired through the consumption of animal origin products. Chicken can be considered the main responsible cause in the transmission chain of this disease. Ionizing radiation was used to verify the reduction of the microbiological load of Campylobacter jejuni present in chicken liver, which, in natura, can present contamination in up to 100% of the cases. The doses of irradiation used were: 0.20 kGy, 0.27 kGy, 0.30 kGy and 0.35 kGy. The samples of chicken liver were acquired in aviaries, local supermarkets and large chain supermarkets. The samples were analyzed for Campylobacter at FIOCRUZ. Irradiation was performed at COPPE/UFRJ, using a Gamma Cell Irradiator with a 60Co gamma source. Only the frozen sample acquired at the local supermarket did not contain the bacterium. Campylobacter sp. was present in all other samples, even when using procedures and technologies that aimed at the impediment of the presence of this bacterium in food and, consequently, at the protection of human health. On the whole, the results were satisfactory; nevertheless, it is known that the bacterial growth conditions required by this bacterium are uncommon when compared to other enteropathogenic bacteria.

Presença de Campylobacter spp. em macacos-de-cheiro (Saimiri spp.) assintomáticos cativos e sua correlação com as condições de manejo

The circulation of Campylobacter spp. in a breeding colony of clinically healthy neotropical primates squirrel monkeys (Saimiri spp.) used in biomedical investigation was evaluated. Analyses were undertaken during seven non-consecutive years: 1995 to 1999, 2002 and 2003. Results revealed a higher rate of positivity in 1996, in contrast to the absence of the agent in 2003. The data suggest that the changes made in the animal management during this study were effective for the Campylobacter spp. elimination of the squirrel monkeys breeding colony, leading to a better quality of life and, hence, resulting in a better animal for research.

Prevalence of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in non-human primates of the Macaca mulatta species from a breeding center for use as biomodels

Objective: Campylobacteriosis is one of the major enteric diseases in the world. It occurs not only in humans but also in non-human primates, being thus important in the health monitoring of colonies of animals from scientific breeding grounds. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Campylobacter, whose detection in animal breeding laboratory, allows not only to control the disease and prevent its dissemination, but to ensure the quality of the research that will be carried out on these biomodels. Based on the importance of this isolation, our objective was to verify the health status of a colony of Macaca mulatta, using as reference the presence of Campylobacter spp. Methods: During the annual medical management, 52 fecal swabs were collected from adult non-human primates, representing a percentage of 10% of the total colony. This material was submitted to the sowing / incubation scheme and identification of Campylobacter sp. following the recommendations of microbiological cultivation, including isolation, Gram-test and biochemical tests. The entire process took from 5 to 7 days in microaerophilic atmosphere. Results: Campylobacter were isolated in 14 specimens. Of these, seven were C. coli carriers, six C. jejuni carriers and in one specimen it was not possible to define the Campylobacter species isolated. Conclusion: Despite the low prevalence (27%), these results reinforce the need for constant microbiological monitoring of primates belonging to the colony, aiming at not only the quality of the animals provided, but minimizing the risk of contamination within the colony and of contagion by professionals dealing with animals, since Campylobacter has an important zoonotic potential.