Background: Shigella spp. are common enteric pathogens in captive non-human primates. Treatment of symptomatic infections involves supportive care and antibiotic therapy, typically with an empirical choice of antibiotic.
Methods: Twenty-four clinically ill, Shigella PCR-positive animals were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: single-dose ceftiofur crystalline free acid (CCFA), single-dose azithromycin gavage, a 5-day tapering azithromycin dose, or 7-day course of enrofloxacin. We hypothesized that all antimicrobial therapies would have similar efficacy.
Results: Animals in all groups cleared Shigella, based on fecal PCR, and had resolution of clinical signs 2 weeks after treatment. Eight out of nine clinically ill and PCR-positive animals tested negative by fecal culture.
Conclusions: Single-dose CCFA, single-dose azithromycin, and a 5-day tapering course of azithromycin all performed as well as a 7-day course of enrofloxacin in eliminating Shigella infection. Fecal PCR may be a better diagnostic than culture for Shigella.
Keywords: Shigella; non-human primate; shigella antibiotic.
© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Medical Primatology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.