Coliform enteritis in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Background and aim: Death of non-human primates due to enteritis is common. The present study examined 27 carcasses of non-human primates and documented two enteritis cases in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) of Assam State Zoo. Methods: For histopathological examination, fragments of small intestine and colon were collected from necropsied animals, fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde solution, and processed by routine paraffin embedding techniques and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. We cultured contents of intestinal tracts and selected tissues for their microflora. Results: At post mortem examination, grossly hemorrhages and ulceration in the intestines were noticed. Microscopical examination revealed degenerative changes of the epithelial cells of the villi and capillary congestion in the lamina propria and in the submucosa. Cultural examination showed the presence of Eschericia coli in the intestine. Conclusions: The study recommended that under certain environmental conditions, pathogenic E. coli were able to multiply and cause death of animals.