First case of peritoneal cysticercosis in a non-human primate host (Macaca tonkeana) due to Taenia martis

Abstract

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.

Description of vertebral and liver alveolar echinococcosis cases in Cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)

“…The reported prevalence of E. multilocularis among foxes in Alsace was 4.3 %, but may be considerably higher now [ 2 , 3 ]. The risk of monkey infection of the SILABE platform with E. multilocularis is real as shown by the recent description of a macaque infection by Taenia martis tapeworm probably acquired through egg ingestion directly from carnivore feces or during foraging activities [ 18 ].…”

Detection of taeniid ( Taenia spp., Echinococcus spp.) eggs contaminating vegetables and fruits sold in European markets and the risk for metacestode infections in captive primates

“…Rare cases of carnivore-transmitted cysticercosis caused by, for example, T. crassiceps ( Heldwein et al., 2006 , Flammer et al., 2014 ) and T. martis ( Brunet et al., 2015 , Eberwei et al., 2013 ), have been documented in people in Europe. Furthermore, several lethal T. martis ( Brunet et al., 2014 , De Liberato et al., 2014 ) and T. crassiceps infections were reported recently for lemurs in zoos ( Luzon et al., 2010 ).…”

Molecular Diagnosis of Human Taenia martis Eye Infection

“…6 In addition to human cases, two nonhuman primate infections with T. martis larvae have been described very recently in an Italian zoo 9 and in a French primate center. 10 In the animals (a ring-tailed lemur that died of the infection and a macaque that survived, respectively), peritoneal infection had developed. Both cases had also been diagnosed molecularly.…”