Potentially Zoonotic Enteric Infections in Gorillas and Chimpanzees, Cameroon and Tanzania

Emerg Infect Dis. 2024 Mar;30(3):577-580. doi: 10.3201/eid3003.230318.

Abstract

Despite zoonotic potential, data are lacking on enteric infection diversity in wild apes. We employed a novel molecular diagnostic platform to detect enteric infections in wild chimpanzees and gorillas. Prevalent Cryptosporidium parvum, adenovirus, and diarrheagenic Escherichia coli across divergent sites and species demonstrates potential widespread circulation among apes in Africa.

Keywords: Cameroon; One Health; Tanzania; bacteria; disease reservoirs; enteric infections; parasites; primate diseases; primates; viruses; zoonoses.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cameroon / epidemiology
  • Cryptosporidiosis*
  • Cryptosporidium*
  • Escherichia coli
  • Gorilla gorilla
  • Pan troglodytes
  • Tanzania / epidemiology