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Sebasteena PF, Deepa CK, Varghese A, Ajith Kumar KG, Joy A, Iype A, Rajappan A, Chandy G, Ravindran R. Molecular characterization of Bertiella studeri infecting a primate in South India. Helminthologia 2024; 61:109-115. [PMID: 39040807 PMCID: PMC11260311 DOI: 10.2478/helm-2024-0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Bertiella spp. is a mite-borne cestode parasite that inhabits the small intestine of wide range of mammals, including non-human primates. In the present study, the morphological and molecular analysis of Bertiella studeri recovered from the small intestine of a bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata) from Wayanad, Kerala (South India) was performed. Acetic alum carmine staining identified the cestode morphologically based on the characters like broader proglottids, which contain irregularly alternating genital pores, single set of reproductive organs, 280 testes and a tubular transverse uterus. Molecular characterization was done using 18SrRNA, ITS1-5.8S and COX1 genes. Phylogenetic trees were constructed using MEGA X based on the Maximum Likelihood (ML) method (Hasegawa-Kishino-Yano (HKY) model). Cytochrome oxidase I gene could detect the existence of genetic variation in the parasite from two different hosts viz., monkey (Kerala, Argentina, and Kenya) and human (Sri Lanka). A minimum spanning network of haplotypes was generated by the haplotype networking with the above sequences using the popARTv1.7. Haplotype analysis based on COX1 revealed that the parasite haplotype was different in each country with highest population frequency in Sri Lanka.
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Affiliation(s)
- P F Sebasteena
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad, Kerala 673 576, India,
- Centre for Wildlife studies, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Pookode, Wayanad, Kerala 673 576, India
| | - C K Deepa
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad, Kerala 673 576, India,
| | - A Varghese
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad, Kerala 673 576, India,
| | - K G Ajith Kumar
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad, Kerala 673 576, India,
| | - A Joy
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad, Kerala 673 576, India,
- Centre for Wildlife studies, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Pookode, Wayanad, Kerala 673 576, India
| | - A Iype
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad, Kerala 673 576, India,
- Centre for Wildlife studies, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Pookode, Wayanad, Kerala 673 576, India
| | - A Rajappan
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad, Kerala 673 576, India
| | - G Chandy
- Centre for Wildlife studies, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Pookode, Wayanad, Kerala 673 576, India
| | - R Ravindran
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad, Kerala 673 576, India,
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Červená B, Prokopová T, Cameira RM, Pafčo B, Samaš P, Romportl D, Uwamahoro C, Noheri JB, Ntwari AE, Bahizi M, Nzayisenga G, Nziza J, Gilardi K, Eckardt W, Ndagijimana F, Mudakikwa A, Muvunyi R, Uwingeli P, Cranfield M, Šlapeta J, Petrželková KJ, Modrý D. Anoplocephalid tapeworms in mountain gorillas ( Gorilla beringei beringei) inhabiting the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Parasitology 2024; 151:135-150. [PMID: 38017606 PMCID: PMC10941052 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023001178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Cestodes of the family Anoplocephalidae parasitize a wide range of usually herbivorous hosts including e.g. rodents, ungulates, primates, elephants and hyraxes. While in some hosts, the epidemiology of the infection is well studied, information is lacking in others. In this study of mountain gorillas in the Virunga Massif, an extensive sample set comprising adult cestodes collected via necropsies, proglottids shed in feces, and finally, fecal samples from both night nests and identified individuals were analysed. Anoplocephala gorillae was the dominant cestode species detected in night nest samples and individually known gorillas, of which only 1 individual hosted a Bertiella sp. It was shown that the 2 species can be distinguished through microscopy based on egg morphology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for diagnostics of both species were provided. Sequences of mitochondrial (cox 1) and nuclear (ITS1, 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA) markers were used to evaluate the phylogenetic position of the 2 cestodes detected in mountain gorillas. Both types of fecal samples, from night nests and from identified individuals, provided comparable information about the prevalence of anoplocephalid cestodes, although the analysis of samples collected from identified gorilla individuals showed significant intra-individual fluctuation of A. gorillae egg shedding within a short period. Therefore, multiple samples should be examined to obtain reliable data for wildlife health management programmes, especially when application of anthelmintic treatment is considered. However, while A. gorillae is apparently a common symbiont of mountain gorillas, it does not seem to impair the health of its host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Červená
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Prokopová
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Rita Maria Cameira
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Pafčo
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Samaš
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Dušan Romportl
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Physical Geography and Geoecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jan Šlapeta
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Klára Judita Petrželková
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Liberec Zoo, Liberec, Czech Republic
| | - David Modrý
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources/CINeZ, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
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Sampaio M, Sianto L, Chame M, Saldanha B, Brener B. INTESTINAL PARASITES IN PECARI TAJACU AND SUS SCROFA DOMESTICUS IN THE CAATINGA FROM SOUTHEASTERN PIAUÍ, BRAZIL. J Parasitol 2023; 109:274-287. [PMID: 37436912 PMCID: PMC10658872 DOI: 10.1645/22-30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
This study identifies gastrointestinal parasites in the feces of Pecari tajacu (caititu) and Sus scrofa domesticus (domestic pig) in southeastern Piauí, Brazil. The region covers 2 protected areas, Serra da Capivara National Park and Serra das Confusões National Park, and surrounding communities. Fecal samples from 64 animals, 42 from domestic swine and 22 from caititu, collected between 1985 and 2013, were analyzed by optical microscopy. Helminths and/or protozoa were found in 64% of the domestic pig samples and 27% of the caititu samples, totaling 18 morphospecies: Nematoda, Spirurida (2 morphospecies), Trichostrongyloidea, Eimeriidae, Aspidodera sp., Bertiella sp., Metastrongylus sp., Trichostrongylus sp., Moniezia sp., Gongylonema sp., Trichuris suis, Spirocerca lupi, Macracanthorhyncus hirudinaceus, Globocephalus urosubulatus, Strongyloides cf ransomi, Balantioides coli, and Eimeria cf scabra. The highest parasite diversity was obtained in the pig samples, totaling 15 morphospecies, compared to only 6 in caititus, with S. cf ransomi, G. urosubulatus, and S. lupi present in both hosts. We discuss the presence of parasites associated with domestic animals around the Protected Areas and potentially zoonotic parasites close to human communities, which raise concerns about the conservation of wildlife, human health, and livestock in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marrara Sampaio
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro 24210-130, Brazil
| | - Luciana Sianto
- Laboratório de Paleoparasitologia e Laboratório de Ecologia, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21041-210, Brazil
| | - Marcia Chame
- Laboratório de Paleoparasitologia e Laboratório de Ecologia, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21041-210, Brazil
| | - Bruna Saldanha
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro 24210-130, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Brener
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro 24210-130, Brazil
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Rondón S, Cavallero S, Link A, González C, D'Amelio S. Prevalence and Molecular Characterisation of Blastocystis sp. Infecting Free-Ranging Primates in Colombia. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12040569. [PMID: 37111455 PMCID: PMC10143058 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12040569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with Blastocystis sp. has been reported in free-living and captive non-human primates (NHPs); however, surveys on Blastocystis sp. from north-western South America are scarce. This study aimed to identify Blastocystis sp. in free-ranging NHPs living in Colombia. A total of 212 faecal samples were collected from Ateles hybridus, Cebus versicolor, Alouatta seniculus, Aotus griseimembra, Sapajus apella, and Saimiri cassiquiarensis. Smears and flotation were used for morphological identification. For samples microscopically classified as positive for Blastocystis sp., we used conventional PCR to amplify and sequence two regions of the SSU rRNA gene and used Maximum Likelihood methods and Median Joining Network analyses for phylogenetic analyses. Via microscopy, 64 samples were Blastocystis sp. positive. Through molecular analyses, 18 sequences of Blastocystis sp. subtype 8 (ST8) were obtained. Strain and allele assignment together with a comparative phylogenetic approach confirmed that the sequences were ST8. Alleles 21, 156, and 157 were detected. Median Joining network analyses showed one highly frequent haplotype shared by specimens from Colombia and Peru and close relationships between haplotypes circulating in NHPs from Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, and Mexico. This survey could support the elaboration of a more accurate epidemiological picture of the Blastocystis sp. infecting NHPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Rondón
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Cavallero
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrés Link
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Bosques Tropicales y Primatología (LEBTYP), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1 N° 18a-12, Bogotá 111711, Colombia
| | - Camila González
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1 N° 18a-12, Bogotá 111711, Colombia
| | - Stefano D'Amelio
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Passamani-Ambrósio R, Pereira GP, Miranda IR, Barcelos RM, Rossoni JV, Loyola YCDS, Castro FCDAQ, Colombo FA, Marques MJ, Rodrigues EA, Graeff-Teixeira C, Marcolongo-Pereira C. Case Report: Human Bertiellosis in Brazil. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2023; 108:34-36. [PMID: 36375464 PMCID: PMC9833065 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Anoplocephalidae family comprises a group of parasites that affect reptiles, birds, and mammals. Humans can be accidentally infected by ingesting contaminated mites. We present a case of human bertiellosis in Brazil. Our report reinforces the importance of correctly identifying the parasite to provide adequate treatment.
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de Souza VK, Schott D, Wagner PGC, Pavarini SP, Alievi MM, Valle SF, Soares JF. Emergence of Mansonella sp. in free-ranging primates in southern Brazil. Primates 2023; 64:153-159. [PMID: 36509890 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-022-01038-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Mansonellosis is a neglected and emerging tropical disease. Among all zoonotic filarial diseases, it is probably the most prevalent and least studied, with approximately 114 million people infected. The parasites of Mansonella spp. are among the most common blood parasitemias and are widely found in Africa and Latin America. Through molecular analysis of blood samples from free-ranging primates Sapajus nigritus (n 33) and Alouatta guariba clamitans (n 5) in the southern states of Brazil (Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul), we identified samples positive for Mansonella perstans in two specimens of A. guariba clamitans. A fragment of 578 bp from the ITS intergenic region (5.8S-ITS2-28S) was targeted for an initial PCR screening. Subsequently, positive samples were subjected to other PCR assays targeting a fragment of the 12S and the 18S genes. This is the first record of molecular detection of the agent in this host in the Pampa Biome. With a wide distribution across Brazil and Argentina, these primates may represent a potential wild reservoir for the zoonotic agent of mansonellosis. Entomological and transmission studies are essential to avoid the urbanization of mansonellosis and to understand the cycles of agents in different environmental scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Kelin de Souza
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais (Protozoovet), Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9090, Porto Alegre, RS, 91540-000, Brazil.
| | - Diogo Schott
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sérgio Arouca (ENSP), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Saulo Petinatti Pavarini
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, UFRGS, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9090, Porto Alegre, RS, 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Meller Alievi
- Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias, Núcleo de Conservação e Reabilitação de Animais Silvestres (Preservas), UFRGS, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9090, Porto Alegre, RS, 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Stella Faria Valle
- Laboratório de Análises Clínicas Veterinárias (LACVET), Faculdade de Veterinária, UFRGS, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9090, Porto Alegre, RS, 91540-000, Brazil
| | - João Fábio Soares
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais (Protozoovet), Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9090, Porto Alegre, RS, 91540-000, Brazil
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Illia G, Jouliá RB, Citon L, Oklander L, Kowalewski M. Parasites and Other Infectious Agents in Non-human Primates of Argentina. CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2022; 9:267-277. [PMID: 36406044 PMCID: PMC9649014 DOI: 10.1007/s40475-022-00277-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review In Argentina, there are five non-human primate (NHP) species: Sapajus nigritus cucullatus, Sapajus cay, Alouatta caraya, Alouatta guariba clamitans, and Aotus azarae. All of them inhabit protected and non-protected areas and face severe threats due anthropization. We aim to summarize the information available about parasites and infectious diseases of these NHPs and suggest further research on primate diseases in Argentina. Recent Findings NHPs of Argentina are hosts of several parasites and pathogens important for conservation as well as public health. Alouatta species are lethally susceptible to yellow fever virus, which makes them suitable health sentinels of possible outbreaks. For other primate species, few parasite surveys have been carried out. Summary Assessing the presence of infectious diseases and long-term surveillance on NHP allow the development of strategies to help in the early detection of pathogens that may threat public health. Increasing the knowledge about parasites and infectious diseases and their consequences in NHP of Argentina is needed, considering a One Health approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gimena Illia
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciónes Científicas Y Técnicas (IBS-CONICET), Misiones, Argentina
| | - Rodrigo Bay Jouliá
- Centro de Ecologia Aplicada del Litoral (CECOAL-CONICET), Estación Biológica Corrientes (EBCo), Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Lucila Citon
- Centro de Ecologia Aplicada del Litoral (CECOAL-CONICET), Estación Biológica Corrientes (EBCo), Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Luciana Oklander
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciónes Científicas Y Técnicas (IBS-CONICET), Misiones, Argentina
| | - Martin Kowalewski
- Centro de Ecologia Aplicada del Litoral (CECOAL-CONICET), Estación Biológica Corrientes (EBCo), Corrientes, Argentina
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Rondón S, Cavallero S, Renzi E, Link A, González C, D’Amelio S. Parasites of Free-Ranging and Captive American Primates: A Systematic Review. Microorganisms 2021; 9:2546. [PMID: 34946149 PMCID: PMC8706906 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The diversity, spread, and evolution of parasites in non-human primates (NHPs) is a relevant issue for human public health as well as for NHPs conservation. Although previous reviews have recorded information on parasites in NHPs (Platyrrhines) in the Americas, the increasing number of recent studies has made these inventories far from complete. Here, we summarize information about parasites recently reported in Platyrrhines, attempting to build on earlier reviews and identify information gaps. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), and following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Ninety-three studies were included after the screening process. Records for 20 genera of NHPs, including 90 species were found. Most of the studies were conducted on captive individuals (54.1%), and morphological approaches were the most used for parasite identification. The most commonly collected biological samples were blood and stool, and Protozoa was the most frequent parasite group found. There is still scarce (if any) information on the parasites associated to several Platyrrhine species, especially for free-ranging populations. The use of molecular identification methods can provide important contributions to the field of NHPs parasitology in the near future. Finally, the identification of parasites in NHPs populations will continue to provide relevant information in the context of pervasive habitat loss and fragmentation that should influence both human public health and wildlife conservation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Rondón
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (S.C.); (E.R.); (S.D.)
| | - Serena Cavallero
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (S.C.); (E.R.); (S.D.)
| | - Erika Renzi
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (S.C.); (E.R.); (S.D.)
| | - Andrés Link
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Bosques Tropicales y Primatología, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Los Andes, Cra. 1 N° 18a-12, Bogotá 111711, Colombia;
| | - Camila González
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical, CIMPAT, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1 N° 18a-12, Bogotá 111711, Colombia;
| | - Stefano D’Amelio
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (S.C.); (E.R.); (S.D.)
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9
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Lopes S, Calegaro-Marques C, Klain V, Chaves ÓM, Bicca-Marques JC. Necropsies disclose a low helminth parasite diversity in periurban howler monkeys. Am J Primatol 2021; 84:e23346. [PMID: 34783067 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Primate-parasite interactions are often investigated via coprological studies given ethical and conservation restrictions of collecting primate hosts. Yet, these studies are inadequate to recover adult helminths for taxonomic identification and to accurately assess their prevalence, intensity, abundance, and site of infection. Fresh carcasses found in anthropogenic landscapes come as informative and reliable alternatives. In this study, we identified the helminths of brown howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans) and their sites of infection, and measured their prevalence, intensity, and abundance of infection. We necropsied 18 adult males, 11 adult females, and 7 juvenile males that died in conflicts with the anthropogenic environment (domestic dog attacks, n = 11; electrocutions and road-kills, n = 10 each; unknown, n = 5) in periurban landscapes of southern Brazil between 2013 and 2019. We found three nematodes (Trypanoxyuris minutus, Dipetalonema gracile, and Parabronema bonnei) and one cestode (Bertiella cf. studeri), a diversity estimated to account for a sampling completeness of 99%. Prevalence ranged from 3% for P. bonnei to 100% for T. minutus. Mean abundance ranged from 2 (D. gracile and B. cf. studeri) to 55,116 (T. minutus) and mean intensity of infection ranged from 4 (B. cf. studeri) to 55,116 (T. minutus). Trypanoxyuris minutus sex ratio was strongly male-biased. The intensity of infection with T. minutus was higher in juvenile males and adult females than in adult males. The low parasite diversity and the helminths' mode of transmission are compatible with howlers' arboreality and folivorous-frugivorous diet. The howlers were not infected with soil-transmitted helminth parasites of humans and domestic animals on the ground and probably did not eat invertebrates to complement the diet. Given the lack of evidence of howler health problems, we suggest that the causes of death of the necropsied howlers are the major threats to the long-term conservation of the species at the study periurban landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Lopes
- Departamento de Zoologia, Laboratório de Helmintologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Cláudia Calegaro-Marques
- Departamento de Zoologia, Laboratório de Helmintologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Klain
- Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Laboratório de Primatologia, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Óscar M Chaves
- Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Laboratório de Primatologia, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.,Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Júlio César Bicca-Marques
- Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Laboratório de Primatologia, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Abstract
We provide a detailed molecular and phylogenetic description of Bertiella studeri tapeworms infecting children in Sri Lanka. Our findings can be used to identify multiple species of Bertiella tapeworms that can infect human hosts in the Old World.
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Kane J, Smith RL. Bertiella sp. (Meyner, 1895) infection of Alouatta caraya (Humboldt, 1812) in urban and natural environments in Ñeembucú, southwest Paraguay. Am J Primatol 2020; 82:e23166. [PMID: 32596875 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Bertiella sp., a cestode known to infect a variety of hosts, including nonhuman primates and humans, was identified in Paraguay as early as 1895, but no systematic analysis of wild primates' gastrointestinal parasites has ever been carried out in Paraguay. Increased urbanization in southwest Paraguay has pushed the Paraguayan howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) into anthropogenic habitats, particularly in the city of Pilar (Ñeembucú department), giving rise to greater potential for zoonotic transmission between wild primates and humans. From July to December 2018, fecal samples were noninvasively collected from 48 howlers inside Pilar (urban environment), the Pilar Military Base (intermediate environment), and a ranch 27 km outside Pilar in the humid Chaco (natural environment) and analyzed for Bertiella eggs and proglottids using macro-analysis and formol-ether sedimentation. Howlers living in the urban environment had the highest rates of Bertiella infection (50% prevalence), with considerably lower infection rates in the intermediate environment (6.25% prevalence) and natural habitats (0% prevalence). A χ2 goodness-of-fit test indicated a significant difference between the three habitat types (p = .007, χ2 = 10.005, df = 2). While the habitat seems to impact the frequency of infection, Bertiella was not observed to select for other factors such as age or sex of the primate host. Here we identified a significant increase in the frequency of Bertiella infection in an urban environment, which can then be further transmitted to new hosts with more direct primate contact. Bertiella infection has already been documented in humans in Paraguay, all of which were associated with close primate contact. As howlers move into more urban habitats due to urbanization and habitat fragmentation, Bertiella could be introduced into this new ecosystem and has the potential to cause further infections in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Kane
- Fundación Para La Tierra, Centro IDEAL, Pilar, Paraguay.,Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Rebecca L Smith
- Fundación Para La Tierra, Centro IDEAL, Pilar, Paraguay.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
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