Occurrence and molecular analysis of Balantidium coli in mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) in the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

J Wildl Dis. 2013 Oct;49(4):1063-5. doi: 10.7589/2013-02-041.

Abstract

Cysts morphologically resembling Balantidium coli were identified in the feces of a mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei). Confirmatory PCR and sequencing revealed two distinct B. coli-specific sequences (ITS-1, sub-types A0 and B1). This represents the first report of B. coli in this species, raising the possibility of infection from a reservoir host.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Balantidiasis / epidemiology
  • Balantidiasis / parasitology
  • Balantidiasis / veterinary*
  • Balantidium / isolation & purification*
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary*
  • Rwanda / epidemiology