BackgroundInfections with larval stages (metacestodes) of a variety of taeniid species have been described in primates, including humans, with partial to severe clinical consequences. Taenia martis is a tapeworm of mustelids, and martens are mainly their definitive hosts in Central Europe. In the rodent intermediate host cysticerci develop in the pleural and peritoneal cavities. The present report describes a case of T. martis peritoneal cysticercosis in a Tonkean macaque.FindingsAn abdominal mass was detected in a 3-year-old male Tonkean macaque (Macaca tonkeana) born and raised in a primate colony in France. Examination of the mass after laparotomy showed numerous vesicles identified as cysticerci of T. martis, based on the morphology of scolex and hooks, with confirmation by PCR amplification and sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) genes. Exeresis of the lesion was not possible and praziquantel (5.7 mg/kg) was given twice at an interval of 3 days. The abdominal mass was greatly diminished upon examination 2 months later and no signs of recurrence were noticed during the following 4 years.ConclusionsThis is the first report of T. martis cysticercosis in a monkey. This record and the recent first description of an ocular T. martis cysticercosis in a human show the susceptibility of primates to T. martis and its zoonotic potential. This taeniid species must be considered in the differential diagnosis of cysticercosis in primates.

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A 16-year-old male, white-collared lemur (Eulemur cinereiceps) was presented for lethargy, anorexia and nausea. General examination showed dehydration and icterus. Blood analysis revealed neutrophilic leucocytosis and elevated hepatic enzyme concentrations. Abdominal CT scan revealed two biliary calculi and a dilatation of the pancreatic and common bile ducts, indicating biliary obstruction. Due to lack of response to supportive treatment (intravenous fluid therapy, long-acting amoxicillin, tramadol, omeprazole, methionine, silybin), cholecystoduodenostomy was performed, and a hepatic granuloma and gallstone were removed. The animal recovered from the surgery within a week and blood parameters were within normal range 3 weeks later. Microbiological evaluation of the calculus revealed an Enterococcus casseiflavus biliary infection, and hepatic cysticercosis by Taenia martis was diagnosed by histology and PCR. Cholelithiasis has been described in primates, but successful surgical treatment is rare. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of an obstructive cholelithiasis treated successfully by cholecystoduodenostomy in a primate.

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Hot water supply has proved to be a subject of great relevance to counter climate change. The integration of solar collectors in residential hot water systems has already been extensively explored, presenting, however, an inconvenient mismatch between energy supply and its consumption. The integration of an energy storage system can counter this obstacle. In this field, phase change materials play an important role, being able to store latent heat. In this thesis, the incorporation of a storage system with phase change materials in a domestic water heating system was investigated. The system proposed in this work consists of a hybrid photovoltaic/thermal solar panel, a water storage tank and a plate heat exchanger with phase change materials. Several configurations were tested and three different phase change materials were studied, with a melting point of around 60 degrees. Simulations were carried out under different climatic conditions, for three different locations: Lisboa, Castelo Branco and Montalegre. The results show that the integration of such a system can lead to a reduction in energy consumption for heating domestic water of around 23% during the summer, and 14% during the winter.