Capillaria hepatica (Nematoda) Infections in Human-Habituated Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla beringei) of the Parc National de Volcans, Rwanda

• Published in: The Journal of parasitology 1999-12, Vol.85 (6), p.1168-1170
• Main Authors: Graczyk, Thaddeus K., Lowenstine, Linda J., Cranfield, Michael R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Ape Diseases - epidemiology; Ape Diseases - parasitology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Capillaria - isolation & purification; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Ecosystem; Eggs; Enoplida Infections - epidemiology; Enoplida Infections - parasitology; Enoplida Infections - veterinary; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gorilla gorilla - parasitology; Habitat conservation; Humans; Infections; Lesions; Liver; Mice; Nematodes; Parasitology; Parks, reserves, wildlife conservation. Endangered species: population survey and restocking; Rats; Research Notes; Rodents; Rwanda - epidemiology; Veterinary medicine
• ISSN: 0022-3395; 1937-2345
• DOI: 10.2307/3285682

Habituation to humans of free-ranging populations of endangered mountain gorillas (Gorilla gorilla beringei) raised concern of anthropozoonotic transmission of parasitic helminths and protozoans. Examinations of liver tissue of 19 gorillas found dead in the Parc National de Volcans, Rwanda, revealed 10 cases of hepatic nematodiasis due to Capillaria hepatica. Identifiable C. hepatica eggs were present in the liver of 4 gorillas (3 juveniles, 1 adult), and nematode cross- sections were found in 1 juvenile gorilla. Six other adult gorillas had areas of periportal and subcapsular fibrosis with calcified eggs. Histologically, the lesions surrounded by the areas of mild inflammatory reaction were characterized by subcapsular, periportal foci of fibrosis in which were embedded numerous C. hepatica eggs. Control of hepatic capillariasis in the remaining populations of mountain gorillas should be focused on eradication or control of populations of rodent pests (i.e., mice and rats) that sustain the reservoir of C. hepatica in habitats shared by gorillas and humans.