Occurrence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in captive chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes ), mandrills ( Mandrillus sphinx ) and wild Zanzibar red colobus monkeys ( Procolobus kirkii )

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of G iardia duodenalis and C ryptosporidium spp. in primates and determine their zoonotic or anthropozoonotic potential. Methods Direct immunofluorescence was used to identify G iardia and C ryptosporidium from faecal samples. PCR and DNA sequencing was performed on positive results. Results Giardia cysts were identified from 5.5% (5/90) of captive chimpanzees and 0% (0/11) of captive mandrills in the R epublic of C ongo; 0% (0/10) of captive chimpanzees in N orway; and 0% of faecal samples (n   =   49) from wild Z anzibar red colobus monkeys. Two G iardia positive samples were also positive on PCR , and sequencing revealed identical isolates of A ssemblage B .  C ryptosporidium oocysts were not detected in any of the samples. Conclusions In these primate groups, in which interactions with humans and human environments are quite substantial, G iardia and C ryptosporidium are rare pathogens. In chimpanzees, G iardia may have a zoonotic or anthropozoonotic potential.