RESUMO
Trichospirura leptostoma is a spirurid nematode that inhabits the pancreatic ducts of the common marmoset, Callithrix jacchus, and other New World primates. This parasite was diagnosed in members of this species at the Marmoset Research Center in Oak Ridge, Tennessee colony after their importation from multiple colonies outside the United States. Animals with few parasites in the pancreas had few tissue changes, whereas those with many parasites had moderate to severe fibrosis replacing exocrine tissue. Trichospirura leptostoma can cause chronic pancreatitis, resulting in subclinical to clinical pancreatic insufficiency and secondary malnutrition. Clinical signs of pancreatic insufficiency in affected marmosets included weight loss (despite good appetite) and increased fecal volume. Because earlier reports did not mention treatments, experimental therapeutic regimens were attempted to eliminate infections from the marmosets. In the clinical studies, different doses and treatment periods with ivermectin and fenbendazole were evaluated for therapeutic efficacy. Fenbendazole given daily at a dosage of 50 mg/kg of body weight by gavage for 14 days was the most effective treatment (PI 0.052). Control of the cockroach vector, as well as treatment of infected animals, is needed to prevent Trichospirura leptostoma-induced disease.
