Fatal infection with human pinworm, Enterobius vermicularis, in a captive chimpanzee

A fatal infection with human pinworms, Enterobius vermicularis, was found in a 26-year-old chimpanzee kept in a zoo. Grossly, the animal was highly emaciated, and had severe enteritis with cecal multifocal nodules and severe cholelithiasis. Histopathologically, a large number of human pinworms were observed in the nodular lesions in the cecum and intestinal wall. These migrating worms were surrounded by an inflammatory cell infiltration which lacked eosinophils. There were areas of multifocal hyperemia and/or hemorrhages in various organs including the entire gastrointestinal tract. Pinworms were also observed in the portal venule and parenchyma of the liver. A light infection with Strongyloides cf. stercoralis was also observed.