Epizootic amebiasis outbreak in wild black howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) in a wildlife facility during captivity prior to translocation - Recommendations to wildlife management programs / Surto epizoótico de amebíase em Bugio preto (Alouatta caraya) provenientes de vida livre durante o cativeiro prévio a translocação - Recomendações a programas de manejo de fauna

The capture and quarantine of non-human primates could be necessary in some circumstances including those required under environmental permit. Mortality is undesirable for wildlife management programs and could be related to opportunistic pathogens, for example, deaths due to intestinal protozoa infection outbreaks as described here. Parasitological, necroscopic, microbiological, and molecular tests were used in the diagnosis of severe necrotic enteritis leading to death of three female and two male black howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) captured and held in quarantine prior to translocation. Parasitological tests showed the presence of cysts of Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (5/5), Entamoeba coli (5/5) and Giardia duodenalis (1/5). Necroscopic assessment revealed areas of severe multifocal necrosis in the intestinal mucosa and submucosa. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of structures morphologically compatible to Entamoeba spp. in all individuals examined. Furthermore, G. duodenalis (1/5) was demonstrated by the nested PCR technique. During temporary captivity of non-human primates in management programs, proper handling protocols, including fast or immediate destination, are suggested in order to mitigate the negative effects of stress and decrease the risk of infections.(AU)

Óbitos por infecções causadas por protozoários intestinais são indesejáveis para programas de manejo de fauna, exigidos no âmbito do licenciamento ambiental e que demandam a captura e quarentena de primatas não humanos. Exames coproparasitológicos, necroscópicos, microbiológicos e moleculares foram utilizados para a confirmação do diagnóstico de uma severa enterite necrótica que levou a óbito três fêmeas e dois machos de Alouatta (A.) caraya capturados e mantidos em quarentena prévia à translocação. Exames coproparasitológicos revelaram a presença de cistos de Entamoeba (E.) histolytica/dispar (5/5), Entamoeba (E.) coli (5/5) e Giardia (G.) duodenalis (1/5). A avaliação necroscópica revelou áreas de necrose multifocal severa na mucosa e submucosa intestinal. A análise microscópica revelou a presença de estruturas morfologicamente compatíveis com trofozoítos do gênero Entamoeba spp. em todos os indivíduos examinados. Além disso, G. duodenalis (1/5) foi demonstrada pela técnica de Nested PCR. Sugere-se que quando for necessário o cativeiro temporário de primatas, deverão ser adotados protocolos de manejo adequados buscando a destinação imediata dos animais, de moto a mitigar os efeitos negativos do estresse e reduzir o risco da ocorrência de infecções.(AU)

Hematological parameters and the variations resulting from stress of Alouatta caraya during a wildlife rescue program in Brazil.

Deforestation and habitat fragmentation are major threats to the conservation status of New World primates, such as the howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) in Brazil, where vegetation destruction is often associated with projects such as Small Hydro Power Plant (SHP) construction. The resulting stress from the implementation of this type of enterprise may be a factor that influences individual susceptibility against pathogens and can determine the success or failure of mitigation measures proposed by responsible and/or requested companies by environmental agencies. To perform health monitoring and to understand physiological changes that ensued from the stress of capturing and keeping primates in captivity, we determined the blood profile of A. caraya rescued at the time of capture (N = 15) and in captivity (N = 11). Complete blood counts (CBCs) performed at the time of capture showed hematological changes compatible with acute stress, such as evident neutrophilic leukocytosis (WBCs; females = 20.48 ± 7.26; males = 18.78 ± 10.39 × 10(9) /L). In captivity, monocytosis was observed in both sexes (females = 1.34 ± 0.26; males = 0.39 ± 0.32 × 10(9) /L; U-test, P = 0.01), suggesting chronic stress. In females, there was also statistically significant eosinopenia (0.28 ± 0.10 × 10(9) /L; U-test, P = 0.01) and hematocrit increases (39.00 ± 1.41%; U-test, P = 0.01). Thus, data shows the impact of both capture related acute stress as well as captivity chronic stress, suggesting that primate management in the implementation of these projects causes significant changes in physiological parameters and, consequently, animal health. Whereas chronic stress is an inducer of immunosuppression and susceptibility to pathogen factors, monitoring hematological parameters in captive animals can act as an indicator of health status, contributing to the success of management and conservation wildlife programs. Am. J. Primatol. 77:246-253, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.