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Dib LV, Barbosa ADS, Correa LL, Torres BDS, Pissinatti A, Moreira SB, Teixeira RHF, Costa ALMD, Muniz JAPC, Junglos AM, Hirano ZMB, Amendoeira MRR. Morphological and molecular characterization of parabasilids isolated from ex situ nonhuman primates and their keepers at different institutions in Brazil. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2024; 24:100946. [PMID: 38827824 PMCID: PMC11141158 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100946] [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: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Intestinal protozoa, which can be asymptomatic or cause diarrhea, dysentery and even death, are among the main agents that affect nonhuman primates (NHPs) kept under human care. Nevertheless, information on the molecular and morphometric profiles of parabasilids in the Neotropics is still scarce. In this context, the objective of this study was to isolate the Parabasalia protozoa detected in the feces of NHPs and their keepers in Pavlova and TYSGM9 media and to characterize the isolates by molecular biology and morphometry. Fecal samples from NHPs from five Brazilian institutions were analyzed. Direct examination was performed immediately after obtaining the samples. A total of 511 fecal samples from NHPs were collected, and 10.6% contained parabasilids. Regarding the handlers, of the 74 samples analyzed, three were positive. In vitro-generated parabasilid isolates were successfully obtained from all positive samples, as identified via microscopy. Isolates of the parasite were obtained both from New World NHPs, including the genera Leontopithecus, Saguinus, Leontocebus, Aotus, Saimiri, Sapajus, and Alouatta, and from the Old World primate Pan troglodytes. Forty-nine NHP isolates were molecularly identified: Pentatrichomonas hominis (16), Trichomitus batrachorum (14), Tetratrichomonas brumpti (13) and Hypotrichomonas hampli (6). The human isolates were identified as Tetratrichomonas sp. (2) and T. batrachorum (1). Visualization and morphometric analysis revealed trophozoites with piriform or rounded shapes that presented variable measurements. The isolates previously characterized as P. hominis had up to five free flagella, while T. batrachorum and Tetratrichomonas sp. had up to four free flagella, and H. hampli had a maximum of three free flagella. These morphometric characteristics corroborated the molecular identification. In general, a variety of parabasilids were observed to infect NHPs, and T. batrachorum was isolated from biological samples from both NHPs and their keepers, a finding that reinforces the susceptibility of these hosts to infections by parabasilids in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lais Verdan Dib
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360, Brazil
- Medicine Faculty of Campos (FMC), Campos Dos Goytacazes, 28035-581, Brazil
| | - Alynne da Silva Barbosa
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360, Brazil
- Department of Parasitology and Microbiology, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, 24020-140, Brazil
| | - Lais Lisboa Correa
- Department of Parasitology and Microbiology, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, 24020-140, Brazil
| | - Breno da Silva Torres
- Department of Parasitology and Microbiology, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, 24020-140, Brazil
| | - Alcides Pissinatti
- Primatology Center of Rio de Janeiro (CPRJ), Instituto Estadual Do Ambiente (INEA), Guapimirim, 25940-000, Brazil
| | - Silvia Bahadian Moreira
- Primatology Center of Rio de Janeiro (CPRJ), Instituto Estadual Do Ambiente (INEA), Guapimirim, 25940-000, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Hidalgo Friciello Teixeira
- Quinzinho de Barros Municipal Zoological Park (Zoo Sorocaba), Sorocaba, 18020-268, Brazil
- Wild Animals Graduate Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, Paulista University “Julio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP-Botucatu), Botucatu, 18618-970, Brazil
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sorocaba (UNISO), Sorocaba, 18023-000, Brazil
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Boscaro V, James ER, Fiorito R, Del Campo J, Scheffrahn RH, Keeling PJ. Updated classification of the phylum Parabasalia. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2024; 71:e13035. [PMID: 38825738 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.13035] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
The phylum Parabasalia includes very diverse single-cell organisms that nevertheless share a distinctive set of morphological traits. Most are harmless or beneficial gut symbionts of animals, but some have turned into parasites in other body compartments, the most notorious example being Trichomonas vaginalis in humans. Parabasalians have garnered attention for their nutritional symbioses with termites, their modified anaerobic mitochondria (hydrogenosomes), their character evolution, and the wholly unique features of some species. The molecular revolution confirmed the monophyly of Parabasalia, but considerably changed our view of their internal relationships, prompting a comprehensive reclassification 14 years ago. This classification has remained authoritative for many subgroups despite a greatly expanded pool of available data, but the large number of species and sequences that have since come out allow for taxonomic refinements in certain lineages, which we undertake here. We aimed to introduce as little disruption as possible but at the same time ensure that most taxa are truly monophyletic, and that the larger clades are subdivided into meaningful units. In doing so, we also highlighted correlations between the phylogeny of parabasalians and that of their hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio Boscaro
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Erick R James
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Rebecca Fiorito
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Javier Del Campo
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | | | - Patrick J Keeling
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Ma PP, Zou Y, Mu WJ, Zhang YY, Li YQ, Liu ZL, Zhang L, Chen LX, Liu GH, Wang S. Prevalence of intestinal trichomonads in captive non-human primates in China. Parasite 2024; 31:19. [PMID: 38530212 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2024018] [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: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Trichomonads are protozoan symbionts with the capacity to infect vertebrates including humans and non-human primates (NHPs), sometimes with pathogenic effects. However, their diversity and prevalence in NHPs in China are poorly understood. A total of 533 fecal samples were collected from captive NHPs in Yunnan Province, China, of which 461 samples from Macaca fascicularis and 72 from Macaca mulatta. Trichomonadidae species were identified using PCR amplification of the ITS-1/5.8S/ITS-2 sequences. The overall prevalence of trichomonads in NHPs was determined to be 11.4% (61/533), with gender, diarrhea, and region identified as potential risk factors for the infections. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis identified three species of trichomonads, i.e., Trichomitopsis minor (n = 45), Pentatrichomonas hominis (n = 11), and Tetratrichomonas sp. (n = 5). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report Trichomitopsis minor infection in NHPs in China. Of note, Pentatrichomonas hominis is generally recognized as a parasitic organism affecting humans. Collectively, our results suggest that NHPs are potential sources of zoonotic trichomonad infections, highlighting the importance of surveillance and control measures to protect human and animal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Ping Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China - Research Center for Parasites and Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410128, PR China
| | - Yang Zou
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China
| | - Wen-Jie Mu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China
| | - Yue-Yue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China
| | - Ya-Qi Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China
| | - Zhong-Li Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China
| | - Long Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China
| | - Li-Xian Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China
| | - Guo-Hua Liu
- Research Center for Parasites and Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410128, PR China
| | - Shuai Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China
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Abstract
Understanding variation in host-associated microbial communities is important given the relevance of microbiomes to host physiology and health. Using 560 fecal samples collected from wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) across their range, we assessed how geography, genetics, climate, vegetation, and diet relate to gut microbial community structure (prokaryotes, eukaryotic parasites) at multiple spatial scales. We observed a high degree of regional specificity in the microbiome composition, which was associated with host genetics, available plant foods, and potentially with cultural differences in tool use, which affect diet. Genetic differences drove community composition at large scales, while vegetation and potentially tool use drove within-region differences, likely due to their influence on diet. Unlike industrialized human populations in the United States, where regional differences in the gut microbiome are undetectable, chimpanzee gut microbiomes are far more variable across space, suggesting that technological developments have decoupled humans from their local environments, obscuring regional differences that could have been important during human evolution. IMPORTANCE Gut microbial communities are drivers of primate physiology and health, but the factors that influence the gut microbiome in wild primate populations remain largely undetermined. We report data from a continent-wide survey of wild chimpanzee gut microbiota and highlight the effects of genetics, vegetation, and potentially even tool use at different spatial scales on the chimpanzee gut microbiome, including bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotic parasites. Microbial community dissimilarity was strongly correlated with chimpanzee population genetic dissimilarity, and vegetation composition and consumption of algae, honey, nuts, and termites were potentially associated with additional divergence in microbial communities between sampling sites. Our results suggest that host genetics, geography, and climate play a far stronger role in structuring the gut microbiome in chimpanzees than in humans.
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