The incidence, pathogenesis and treatment of helminth infections in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

Abstract

In a survey of 259 newly-imported rhesus monkeys, 5 species of nematode parasites were commonly found. Of these 5 species, Oesophagostomum spp. and Strongyloides fulleborni were implicated in the deaths of 3 monkeys. 5 other nematode species, 2 cestode species and 1 trematode species were also found; their pathogenicity is discussed. The results of treatment of parasitic infections with 6 different drugs is reported. Thiabendazole at an initial dose of 100 or 133 mg/kg and repeated at 50 mg/kg was found to be the most effective treatment against Oesophagostomum spp.