Pasteurella multocida Involved in Respiratory Disease of Wild Chimpanzees
2011

Pasteurella multocida in Wild Chimpanzees

Sample size: 4 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Köndgen Sophie, Leider Michaela, Lankester Felix, Bethe Astrid, Lübke-Becker Antina, Leendertz Fabian H., Ewers Christa

Primary Institution: Robert Koch-Institut, Berlin, Germany

Hypothesis

What is the role of Pasteurella multocida in respiratory disease among wild chimpanzees?

Conclusion

The study found that Pasteurella multocida is involved in respiratory diseases in wild chimpanzees, contributing to their mortality during outbreaks.

Supporting Evidence

  • P. multocida was isolated from two chimpanzees that died during a respiratory disease outbreak.
  • Four isolates were characterized, revealing two new sequence types, ST68 and ST69.
  • Phylogenetic analysis showed close clustering with known P. multocida strains from various hosts.

Takeaway

Researchers found a germ called Pasteurella multocida in wild chimpanzees that can make them very sick, especially during outbreaks of respiratory disease.

Methodology

The study involved isolating P. multocida from lung tissue and pus samples of chimpanzees, followed by phenotypic and molecular characterization.

Limitations

The study did not evaluate the carrier state of P. multocida in healthy chimpanzees, which would require invasive sampling.

Participant Demographics

Wild chimpanzees from Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0024236

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