Biphasic enteritis in imported cynomolgus (Macaca fascicularis) monkeys infected with Shigella, Salmonella and Campylobacter species

Abstract

Epidemic enteritis in approximately 10 000 newly-imported Macaca fascicularis was common and fell into 2 distinct phases. During the 1st month of quarantine Shigella organisms, often antibiotic resistant, posed a threat to life of the animals. Later, Campylobacter jejuni/coli appeared to be the main organism in infectious enteritis. The clinical syndrome was complicated at all stages by the presence of helminths, virus infections such as measles and pathogenic protozoa, but salmonellae were not usually an important feature. Normal quarantine procedures did not guarantee freedom from either shigellae or salmonellae and serial tests were done in individual cases to ensure this. It was not possible to eradicate Campylobacter jejuni/coli from the colony.