Did a chimpanzee give me iritis?

[caley orr]

Ok. This might sound strange. I am an PhD student in anthropology and I do comparative anatomy studies. Three years ago I was dissecting a chimpanzee (who died of natural causes, fear not) and a couple of days later came down with a terrible eye infection and was diagnosed with iritis. Thankfully, it has not come back since then, although I'm always vigilant. My question is, does anyone have information on the transmission of pathogens that might cause iritis? I know that most anything chimps can get humans can get. Could I have become infected by an iritic chimp or do you think it was just coincidence?

Thanks,
Caley

[Mike Bartolatz]

mike