Abstract
A survey of parasites among the chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes, imported from Africa as laboratory animals was undertaken by means of fecal examinations (HE staining method of direct smear, Tween 80 citric acid ether sedimentation procedure and filter-paper cultivation technique), blood smear technique and skin-snip method.
As a result, ova or larvae of 4 helminthic species (Strongyloides fuelleborni, Enterobius sp., Trichuris trichiura and a strongylid-nematode) and cysts or trophozoites of 10 protozoal species (Chilomastix mesnili, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, E. coli, E. hartmanni, E. polecki, E. sp., Iodamoeba buetschlii, Endolimax nana and Balantidium coli) were found in stool, and microfilariae of 3 filarial species (Dipetalonema perstans, D. streptocerca and D. rodhaini) were recovered from blood or skin-snips.
The fact was also shown that positiveness of helminthic ova and microfilariae in chimpanzees has a tendency to decrease when they are bred in laboratories, but that of protozoa is 83.3% even after the breeding of 6 to 7 years.
These parasites are important as the causative agents of sickness in chimpanzees. They are also, especially Strongyloides fuelleborni and Entamoeba histolytica from the primate, very important as causative agents of human sickness.
We think it is necessary to eradicate these parasites from chimpanzees bred in human society, because they are zoonotic pathogens and very dangerous to humans.
