Evidence for Human Streptococcus pneumoniae in wild and captive chimpanzees: A potential threat to wild populations

Abstract

Habituation of wild great apes for tourism and research has had a significant positive effect on the conservation of these species. However, risks associated with such activities have been identified, specifically the transmission of human respiratory viruses to wild great apes, causing high morbidity and, occasionally, mortality. Here, we investigate the source of bacterial-viral co-infections in wild and captive chimpanzee communities in the course of several respiratory disease outbreaks. Molecular analyses showed that human respiratory syncytial viruses (HRSV) and human metapneumoviruses (HMPV) were involved in the etiology of the disease. In addition our analysis provide evidence for coinfection with Streptococcus (S.) pneumoniae. Characterisation of isolates from wild chimpanzees point towards a human origin of these bacteria. Transmission of these bacteria is of concern because – in contrast to HRSV and HMPV - S. pneumoniae can become part of the nasopharyngeal flora, contributing to the severity of respiratory disease progression. Furthermore these bacteria have the potential to spread to other individuals in the community and ultimately into the population. Targeted vaccination programs could be used to vaccinate habituated great apes but also human populations around great ape habitats, bringing health benefits to both humans and wild great apes.

Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae Infection in Wild Bonobos

“…This finding is of central importance because in contrast to viral infections which are cleared from the hosts, S. pneumoniae infections may be maintained in the individual, community and, ultimately, in the population. A recent study, where S. pneumoniae of human origin was isolated from wild chimpanzees that died in a respiratory disease outbreak, supports this finding (Köndgen et al 2017).…”

“…Research shows that chimpanzees and gorillas habituated to human presence can get infected with microorganisms of human origin. Most frequently, the transmission of respiratory pathogens has been described, resulting in some cases in high morbidity and considerable mortality (Köndgen et al 2008(Köndgen et al , 2010(Köndgen et al , 2017Kaur et al 2008;Palacios et al 2011;Grützmacher et al 2016). Viruses identified so far are human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) and human metapneumovirus (HMPV), two common paramyxoviruses.…”

“…These viruses are known to generally cause only mild disease in healthy human adults, but may lead to bronchiolitis and pneumonia, especially in young children (Falsey and Walsh 2000). In addition, in most great ape respiratory disease outbreaks described, Streptococcus (S.) pneumoniae was also involved in the disease development (Köndgen et al 2017). S. pneumoniae is a common human pathogen, which can cause severe invasive pneumonia.…”

Low antibody prevalence against Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis in Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire, indicates high rate of lethal infections in wildlife

“…One chimpanzee serum sample taken under anesthesia during an emergency surgery in a chimpanzee with air-sacculitis was available from 2009 [ 22 ]. A further eight whole blood samples were obtained during necropsies of freshly deceased animals that died in outbreaks of respiratory disease in 2004, 2006 and 2009 that tested negative for Bcbva in qPCR ( S1 Table ) [ 23 , 24 ].…”

“…All chimpanzee samples originated from free-ranging chimpanzees. Samples were collected from chimpanzees that had died of natural reason in outbreaks of respiratory disease by our team of veterinarians routinely investigating wildlife mortality in TNP [ 23 , 24 ]. In one case samples were obtained from an individual on whom surgery had to be performed due to a life threatening infection [ 22 ].…”