In this session, Dr. Joanna Reynard explores the fascinating — and often challenging — world of the amoebic protozoan Entamoeba histolytica. This organism is a significant pathogen in primates housed in zoological collections, where it can cause a wide spectrum of disease. Clinical signs range from silent, asymptomatic carriage to severe diarrhoea, protein‑losing enteropathies, and even life‑threatening hepatic abscesses.
Although E. histolytica has been identified across many species, Old World primates — particularly colobines and other leaf‑eating species such as langurs — are especially prone to developing clinical disease. One of the major challenges in managing this parasite is the remarkable resilience of its cysts, which can survive for months in the environment and make eradication within enclosures extremely difficult.
This talk guides you through the key aspects of recognising, treating, and ultimately attempting to eliminate E. histolytica from affected groups. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of its clinical presentations, practical treatment options, and the complexities of controlling this infection in a zoo setting