Crispin Kamate Mahamba

Bio: Crispin Kamate Mahamba is an academic researcher from Lola ya Bonobo. The author has contributed to research in topics: Pan paniscus & Myocarditis. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 3 publications receiving 34 citations.

Encephalomyocarditis virus mortality in semi-wild bonobos (Pan panicus).

Abstract: Background Fatal myocarditis from encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) infection has previously been identified in sporadic and epidemic forms in many species of captive non-human primates probably including one bonobo (Pan paniscus). Methods We investigated the deaths of two bonobos that were suspicious of EMCV using a combination of histopathology, immunohistochemistry and, for one of the two bonobos, reverse transcription PCR. Results Histopathological examination of heart tissue from the two bonobos showed changes characteristic of EMCV. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed the presence of EMCV antigen in heart tissue of both and in kidney and intestine of one of the bonobos. EMCV RNA was also isolated from the serum of the bonobo tested. Conclusion Together, these findings confirm that EMCV was responsible for deaths of the two bonobos. Strict separation of bonobos in particular and captive primates in general from potential sources of EMCV contamination should be maintained to prevent mortality caused by EMCV.

Fatal inflammatory heart disease in a bonobo (Pan paniscus).

Abstract: We report the first probable identification of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) in a bonobo (Pan paniscus) that had been part of a forest re-introduction programme. Clinical presentation was of episodic acute on chronic heart failure and cerebral infarction with end-stage renal failure rather than sudden death which is more commonly associated with EMCV infection. A postmortem diagnosis of probable EMCV was made using gross pathological and histopathological examination. Findings included acute on chronic heart failure combined with the unusual but characteristic histopathological features of non-suppurative necrotizing myocarditis with mononuclear, inflammatory infiltration of the brain.

Placental retention in a bonobo (Pan paniscus)

Abstract: Background This case report describes the first placental retention in an 11-year-old female bonobo (Pan paniscus) following the delivery of a healthy infant. Methods After unsuccessful medical treatment with oxytocin, the placenta was manually extracted. Results and conclusions Both the dam and infant survived.

Human Febrile Illness Caused by Encephalomyocarditis Virus Infection, Peru

Abstract: Etiologic studies of acute febrile disease were conducted in sites across South America, including Cusco and Iquitos, Peru. Patients' clinical signs and symptoms were recorded, and acute- and convalescent-phase serum samples were obtained for serologic examination and virus isolation in Vero E6 and C6/36 cells. Virus isolated in Vero E6 cells was identified as encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) by electron microscopy and by subsequent molecular diagnostic testing of samples from 2 febrile patients with nausea, headache, and dyspnea. The virus was recovered from acute-phase serum samples from both case-patients and identified with cardiovirus-specific reverse transcription-PCR and sequencing. Serum samples from case-patient 1 showed cardiovirus antibody by immunoglobulin M ELISA (acute phase 1,024) and by neutralization assay (acute phase 1,280). Serum samples from case-patient 2 did not contain antibodies detectable by either assay. Detection of virus in serum strongly supports a role for EMCV in human infection and febrile illness.

Infectious Disease Risk Across the Growing Human-Non Human Primate Interface: A Review of the Evidence.

Abstract: Most of the human pandemics reported to date can be classified as zoonoses. Among these, there is a long history of infectious diseases that have spread from non-human primates (NHP) to humans. For millennia, indigenous groups that depend on wildlife for their survival were exposed to the risk of NHP pathogens' transmission through animal hunting and wild meat consumption. Usually, exposure is of no consequence or is limited to mild infections. In rare situations, it can be more severe or even become a real public health concern. Since the emergence of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), nobody can ignore that an emerging infectious diseases (EID) might spread from NHP into the human population. In large parts of the Central Africa and Asia, wildlife still remains the primary source of meat and income for millions of people living in rural areas. However, in the past decades the risk of exposure to an NHP pathogen has taken a new dimension. Unprecedented breaking down of natural barriers between NHP and humans has increased exposure to health risks for a much larger population including people living in urban areas. There are several reasons to this: (i) due to road development and massive destruction of ecosystems for agricultural needs, wildlife and humans come more frequently into contact; (ii) due to the ecological awareness, many long distance travelers are in search of wildlife discovery, with a particular fascination for African great apes; (iii) due to attraction for ancient temples and mystical practices, others travelers visit Asian places colonized by NHP. In each case, there is a risk of pathogen transmission through bite or another route of infection. Beside the individual risk to contracting a pathogen, there is also a possibility of starting a new pandemic. This article reviews the known cases of NHP pathogens' transmission to humans whether they are hunters, travelers, ecotourists, veterinarians or scientists working on NHP. Although pathogen transmission is supposed to be a rare outcome, some pathogens including Rabies virus, Herpes B virus, Monkeypox virus, Ebola virus, or Yellow fever virus are of greater concern and require quick countermeasures from healthcare professionals.

Framing postpartum hemorrhage as a consequence of human placental biology: an evolutionary and comparative perspective.

Abstract: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide, is responsible for 35 percent of maternal deaths. Proximately, PPH results from the failure of the placenta to separate from the uterine wall properly, most often because of impairment of uterine muscle contraction. Despite its prevalence and its well-described clinical manifestations, the ultimate causes of PPH are not known and have not been investigated through an evolutionary lens. We argue that vulnerability to PPH stems from the intensely invasive nature of human placentation. The human placenta causes uterine vessels to undergo transformation to provide the developing fetus with a high plane of maternal resources; the degree of this transformation in humans is extensive. We argue that the particularly invasive nature of the human placenta increases the possibility of increased blood loss at parturition. We review evidence suggesting PPH and other placental disorders represent an evolutionarily novel condition in hominins.

A systematic review of the literature relating to captive great ape morbidity and mortality

Abstract: Wild bonobos (Pan paniscus), chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), Western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla), and orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus, Pongo abelii) are threatened with extinction. In order to help maintain a self-sustaining zoo population, clinicians require a sound understanding of the diseases with which they might be presented. To provide an up-to-date perspective on great ape morbidity and mortality, a systematic review of the zoological and veterinary literature of great apes from 1990 to 2014 was conducted. This is the first review of the great ape literature published since 1990 and the first-ever systematic literature review of great ape morbidity and mortality. The following databases were searched for relevant articles: CAB Abstracts, Web of Science Core Collection, BIOSIS Citation Index, BIOSIS Previews, Current Contents Connect, Data Citation Index, Derwent Innovations Index, MEDLINE, SciELO Citation Index, and Zoological Record. A total of 189 articles reporting on the causes of morbidity and mortality among captive great apes were selected and divided into comparative morbidity–mortality studies and case reports–series or single-disease prevalence studies. The content and main findings of the morbidity-mortality studies were reviewed and the main limitations identified. The case reports–case series and single-disease prevalence studies were categorized and coded according to taxa, etiology, and body system. Subsequent analysis allowed the amount of literature coverage afforded to each category to be calculated and the main diseases and disorders reported within the literature to be identified. This review concludes that reports of idiopathic and infectious diseases along with disorders of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal body systems were particularly prominent within the great ape literature during 1990–2014. However, recent and accurate prevalence figures are lacking and there are flaws in those reviews that do exist. There is therefore a critical need for a robust, widespread, and more up-to-date review of mortality among captive great apes.