Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in cynomolgus monkeys at primate research center facility in Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in nonhuman primates has been widely reported and causes significant morbidity and mortality. Animal deaths occur routinely at the Primate Research Center of IPB University. The results of necropsy and culture suggested a K. pneumoniae infection.

METHODS: A mass health assessment of Cynomolgus monkeys (n = 429) was carried out by physical examination and molecular targeting K. pneumoniae (n = 96), family of Coronaviridae (n = 148) and Paramyxoviridae (n = 148).

RESULTS: A total of 49.18% of the animals had clinical symptoms of respiratory disorders, abscesses, trauma, and others. PCR results indicated that 28.57% were positive for K. pneumoniae with 35.71% mortality, while all samples were negative for both virus families.

CONCLUSIONS: There have been outbreaks caused by K. pneumoniae and/or K. pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae. This disease is chronic, infects all of the buildings, and no tendency for disease transmission according to gender and age class.