Distribution and prevalence of in chimpanzees and the environment throughout Africa.

Since 2005, the leading cause of death for western chimpanzees () at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary (TCS) in Sierra Leone has been epizootic neurologic and gastroenteric syndrome (ENGS), associated with the bacterium (family ). The prevalence of at TCS in clinically normal chimpanzees and the environment remains unknown, as does its distribution in other captive and wild chimpanzee populations and their environments across Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution and prevalence of bacteria in sanctuary and wild chimpanzee populations across Africa and to identify demographic and ecological risk factors for in chimpanzees and the environment.

A Sarcina bacterium linked to lethal disease in sanctuary chimpanzees in Sierra Leone.

Human and animal infections with bacteria of the genus Sarcina (family Clostridiaceae) are associated with gastric dilation and emphysematous gastritis. However, the potential roles of sarcinae as commensals or pathogens remain unclear. Here, we investigate a lethal disease of unknown etiology that affects sanctuary chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Sierra Leone.