Rickettsia conorii Subspecies israelensis in Captive Baboons

Abstract

Hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) may transmit zoonotic vector-borne pathogens to visitors and workers frequenting zoological parks. We molecularly screened 33 baboons for vector-borne pathogens. Three (9.1%) of 33 animals tested positive for Rickettsia conorii subspecies israelensis. Clinicians should be aware of potential health risks from spatial overlapping between baboons and humans.

Keywords

• rickettsia
• zoonoses
• Rickettsia conorii
• tick-borne infections
• vector-borne infections
• primates