The first record of echinococcosis in a captive vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiopicus) in Kuwait

Abstract

In 2019, a 3-years old zoo-raised female vervet monkey ( Chlorocebus aethiopicus ) was dead after showing progressive abdominal enlargement, apathy, and anorexia. At autopsy, large numbers of small cysts with different sizes in the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneum. Because of the morphology and the tumor-like proliferation of the causative agent, Echinococcus multilocularis was most probably involved in this case. Although it is evident that the monkey was exposed to Echinococcus eggs, it is not possible to know the route and source of infection. Examination of the zoo canids for taeniid eggs revealed a negative result. Properly, the animal was exposed to infection via the food (fruits and vegetables) brought from farms in remote areas in the desert. It is assumed that infected wild canids, which are common in Kuwait’ desert, contaminate the environment in these areas. To the best of our knowledge, this report describes echinococcosis for the first time in the vervet monkey species in Kuwait.