Leptospira infection in non-human primates

Non-Human Primates (NHPs) are a large group of animals living in different Countries all over the World, frequently kept in captivity in zoos or in rehabilitation and research centers. In this book chapter, data available in literature on Leptospira infection in different genera and species of NHPs are reported. Few studies described clinical infections, associated to Icterohaemorrhagiae and Ballum serogroups, occurring only in captive animals. Serological positivity varies considerably among species and geographical areas, and it is difficult to define a subset of serovars more often detected by MAT. Most studies were carried out in South America on New World Monkeys and recent information about Leptospira infection in Old World Monkeys, Apes and Prosimians are scant. The exact role of NHPs in Leptospira epidemiology is not clear yet; more surveys are needed, in particular strains isolation and characterization and/or molecular analysis on both captive and wild NHPs should be of great importance.