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Chaves A, Dolz G, Ibarra-Cerdeña CN, Núñez G, Ortiz-Malavasi E E, Bernal-Valle S, Gutiérrez-Espeleta GA. Presence and potential distribution of malaria-infected New World primates of Costa Rica. Malar J 2022; 21:17. [PMID: 34998402 PMCID: PMC8742953 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-04036-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In South and Central America, Plasmodium malariae/Plasmodium brasilianum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium simium, and Plasmodium falciparum has been reported in New World primates (NWP). Specifically in Costa Rica, the presence of monkeys positive to P. malariae/P brasilianum has been identified in both captivity and in the wild. The aim of the present study was to determine the presence of P. brasilianum, P. falciparum, and P. vivax, and the potential distribution of these parasites-infecting NWP from Costa Rica. Methods The locations with PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) positive results and bioclimatic predictors were used to construct ecological niche models based on a modelling environment that uses the Maxent algorithm, named kuenm, capable to manage diverse settings to better estimate the potential distributions and uncertainty indices of the potential distribution. Results PCR analysis for the Plasmodium presence was conducted in 384 samples of four primates (Howler monkey [n = 130], White-face monkey [n = 132], Squirrel monkey [n = 50], and red spider monkey [n = 72]), from across Costa Rica. Three Plasmodium species were detected in all primate species (P. falciparum, P. malariae/P. brasilianum, and P. vivax). Overall, the infection prevalence was 8.9%, but each Plasmodium species ranged 2.1–3.4%. The niche model approach showed that the Pacific and the Atlantic coastal regions of Costa Rica presented suitable climatic conditions for parasite infections. However, the central pacific coast has a more trustable prediction for malaria in primates. Conclusions The results indicate that the regions with higher suitability for Plasmodium transmission in NWP coincide with regions where most human cases have been reported. These regions were also previously identified as areas with high suitability for vector species, suggesting that enzootic and epizootic cycles occur. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-021-04036-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Chaves
- Laboratorio de Entomología, Programa de Investigación en Medicina Poblacional, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica. .,Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica.
| | - Gaby Dolz
- Laboratorio de Entomología, Programa de Investigación en Medicina Poblacional, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Carlos N Ibarra-Cerdeña
- Departamento de Ecología Humana, Centro de Investigación Y Estudios Avanzados (Cinvestav), Unidad Mérida, Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico
| | - Genuar Núñez
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica
| | | | - Sofia Bernal-Valle
- Laboratorio de Entomología, Programa de Investigación en Medicina Poblacional, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
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Salom-Pérez R, Wultsch C, Adams JR, Soto-Fournier S, Gutiérrez-Espeleta GA, Waits LP. Genetic diversity and population structure for ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) in Costa Rica. J Mammal 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) are a wide-ranging felid species, occurring from southern United States to northern Argentina. They occupy various habitats and are usually considered the most abundant wild cat species in the Neotropics. However, genetic studies that include free-ranging Mesoamerican ocelots are rare and generally based on small sample sizes. This is the first conservation genetics study on ocelots in Costa Rica and the second one in Mesoamerica that has conducted a genetic assessment of the species at a countrywide scale. We evaluated genetic diversity and population structure of ocelots using 15 microsatellite loci in 28 successfully genotyped individuals from throughout the country. We also compared genetic diversity of Costa Rican ocelots with that of jaguars (Panthera onca) and pumas (Puma concolor) in the country, and with ocelots in Belize. Genetic diversity of ocelots in Costa Rica was relatively high as measured by rarified allelic richness (AR = 5.50 ± 1.36) and expected heterozygosities (HE = 0.79 ± 0.08). We did not detect patterns of genetic substructure, suggesting high levels of gene flow throughout the country and no strong barriers to movement. As expected, genetic diversity of Costa Rican ocelots was higher than co-occurring jaguars and pumas. Additionally, levels of genetic diversity were slightly higher in Costa Rican ocelots when compared with their counterparts in Belize, confirming the south to north decrease in genetic diversity reported in other studies. Our study provides critical baseline information to understand the status of wild ocelot populations in Costa Rica. Future studies on ocelots and other threatened or keystone species should also integrate genetic monitoring and conservation genetics analysis to properly inform management decisions, guarantee their long-term survival, and improve the resilience of ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Salom-Pérez
- Panthera, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
- CATIE-Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza, CATIE 7170, 31501, Turrialba, Costa Rica
| | - Claudia Wultsch
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA
- Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics Laboratory, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer R Adams
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Sofía Soto-Fournier
- School of Biology, Universidad de Costa Rica, Sede Rodrigo Facio 2060, San José, Costa Rica
| | | | - Lisette P Waits
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
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3
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Buckner JC, Jack KM, Melin AD, Schoof VAM, Gutiérrez-Espeleta GA, Lima MGM, Lynch JW. Major histocompatibility complex class II DR and DQ evolution and variation in wild capuchin monkey species (Cebinae). PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254604. [PMID: 34383779 PMCID: PMC8360539 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is an important gene complex contributing to adaptive immunity. Studies of platyrrhine MHC have focused on identifying experimental models of immune system function in the equivalent Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA). These genes have thus been explored primarily in captive platyrrhine individuals from research colonies. However, investigations of standing MHC variation and evolution in wild populations are essential to understanding its role in immunity, sociality and ecology. Capuchins are a promising model group exhibiting the greatest habitat diversity, widest diet breadth and arguably the most social complexity among platyrrhines, together likely resulting in varied immunological challenges. We use high-throughput sequencing to characterize polymorphism in four Class II DR and DQ exons for the first time in seven capuchin species. We find evidence for at least three copies for DQ genes and at least five for DRB, with possible additional unrecovered diversity. Our data also reveal common genotypes that are inherited across our most widely sampled population, Cebus imitator in Sector Santa Rosa, Costa Rica. Notably, phylogenetic analyses reveal that platyrrhine DQA sequences form a monophyletic group to the exclusion of all Catarrhini sequences examined. This result is inconsistent with the trans-species hypothesis for MHC evolution across infraorders in Primates and provides further evidence for the independent origin of current MHC genetic diversity in Platyrrhini. Identical allele sharing across cebid species, and more rarely genera, however, does underscore the complexity of MHC gene evolution and the need for more comprehensive assessments of allelic diversity and genome structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet C. Buckner
- Museum of Natural Science, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JCB); (JWL)
| | - Katharine M. Jack
- Department of Anthropology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Amanda D. Melin
- Department of Anthropology & Archaeology and Department of Medical Genetics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Valérie A. M. Schoof
- Bilingual Biology Program, Glendon College, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Marcela G. M. Lima
- Laboratory of Conservation Biogeography and Macroecology, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Jessica W. Lynch
- Institute for Society and Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JCB); (JWL)
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Chaves A, Piche-Ovares M, Ibarra-Cerdeña CN, Corrales-Aguilar E, Suzán G, Moreira-Soto A, Gutiérrez-Espeleta GA. Serosurvey of Nonhuman Primates in Costa Rica at the Human-Wildlife Interface Reveals High Exposure to Flaviviruses. Insects 2021; 12:insects12060554. [PMID: 34203687 PMCID: PMC8232092 DOI: 10.3390/insects12060554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The presence of flavivirus-specific antibodies in neotropical non-human primates (NPs) (i.e., dengue virus) is well known. However, it is unclear if dengue virus or other flaviviruses could be maintained in sylvatic cycles. We detected the presence of antibodies against dengue virus (DENV-1, DENV-2), Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV), West Nile virus (WNV), and several undetermined flaviviruses in NPs in Costa Rica. Our work suggests continuous exposure of NPs to several flaviviruses in Costa Rica. These findings open the question of whether bidirectional transmission between humans and non-human primates can occur due to human encroachment into NP habitats, the movement of NP into urban settings, or bridging vectors. Abstract Arthropod-borne viruses belonging to the flavivirus genus possess an enormous relevance in public health. Neotropical non-human primates (NPs) have been proposed to be susceptible to flavivirus infections due to their arboreal and diurnal habits, their genetic similarity to humans, and their relative closeness to humans. However, the only known flavivirus in the American continent maintained by sylvatic cycles involving NPs is yellow fever virus (YFV), and NPs’ role as potential hosts of other flaviviruses is still unknown. Here, we examined flavivirus exposure in 86 serum samples including 83.7% samples from free-range and 16.3% from captive NPs living in flavivirus-endemic regions of Costa Rica. Serum samples were opportunistically collected throughout Costa Rica in 2000–2015. We used a highly specific micro-plaque reduction neutralization test (micro-PRNT) to determine the presence of antibodies against YFV, dengue virus 1–4 (DENV), Zika virus, West Nile virus (WNV), and Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV). We found evidence of seropositive NPs with homotypic reactivity to SLEV 11.6% (10/86), DENV 10.5% (9/86), and WNV 2.3% (2/86). Heterotypic reactivity was determined in 3.5% (3/86) of individuals against DENV, 1.2% (1/86) against SLEV, and 1.2% (1/86) against WNV. We found that 13.9% (12/86) of NPs were positive for an undetermined flavivirus species. No antibodies against DENV-3, DENV-4, YFV, or ZIKV were found. This work provides compelling serological evidence of flavivirus exposure in Costa Rican NPs, in particular to DENV, SLEV, and WNV. The range of years of sampling and the region from where positives were detected coincide with those in which peaks of DENV in human populations were registered, suggesting bidirectional exposure due to human–wildlife contact or bridging vectors. Our work suggests the continuous exposure of wildlife populations to various flaviviruses of public health importance and underscores the necessity of further surveillance of flaviviruses at the human–wildlife interface in Central America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Chaves
- School of Biology, University of Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica;
- Department of Ethology, Wildlife and Laboratory Animals, School of Veterinary and Zootechnics, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Ciudad Universitaria, Av. Universidad #3000, Mexico City 04510, Mexico;
- Correspondence:
| | - Martha Piche-Ovares
- Virology-CIET (Center of Research in Tropical Diseases), University of Costa Rica, San José 2060-1000, Costa Rica; (M.P.-O.); (E.C.-A.); (A.M.-S.)
| | | | - Eugenia Corrales-Aguilar
- Virology-CIET (Center of Research in Tropical Diseases), University of Costa Rica, San José 2060-1000, Costa Rica; (M.P.-O.); (E.C.-A.); (A.M.-S.)
| | - Gerardo Suzán
- Department of Ethology, Wildlife and Laboratory Animals, School of Veterinary and Zootechnics, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Ciudad Universitaria, Av. Universidad #3000, Mexico City 04510, Mexico;
| | - Andres Moreira-Soto
- Virology-CIET (Center of Research in Tropical Diseases), University of Costa Rica, San José 2060-1000, Costa Rica; (M.P.-O.); (E.C.-A.); (A.M.-S.)
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10098 Berlin, Germany
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Niehaus C, Spínola M, Su C, Rojas N, Rico-Chávez O, Ibarra-Cerdeña CN, Foley J, Suzán G, Gutiérrez-Espeleta GA, Chaves A. Environmental factors associated With Toxoplasma gondii Exposure in Neotropical Primates of Costa Rica. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:583032. [PMID: 33195604 PMCID: PMC7642457 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.583032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) has been found in more than 350 species of homoeothermic vertebrates in diverse climates and geographic areas. In most animals, T. gondii produces mild or asymptomatic infection. However, acute and hyperacute toxoplasmosis is associated with high mortality rates observed in Neotropical primates (NP) in captivity. These primates are distributed in 20 countries across the Americas, and although infection has been reported in certain countries and species, toxoplasmosis in the wild and its impact on NP population survival is unknown. Differences among species in exposure rates and disease susceptibility may be due in part to differences in host behavior and ecology. Four species of NP are found in Costa Rica, i.e., howler (Alouatta palliata), spider (Ateles geoffroyi), capuchin (Cebus imitator), and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri oerstedii). This study reports NP exposure to T. gondii using the modified agglutination test in 245 serum samples of NP (198 wild and 47 from captivity) from Costa Rica. Associations of serostatus with environmental (forest cover, annual mean temperature), anthropogenic (human population density), and biological (sex) variables in howler and capuchin monkeys were evaluated. The seroprevalence among wild NP was 11.6% (95% CI = 7.7–17.34), compared with 60% in captive monkeys (95% CI = 44.27–73.63), with significant differences between species (X2 = 20.072; df = 3, p = 0.000164), suggesting an effect of behavior and ecology. In general, antibody titers were low for wild NP (<1:128) and high for captive NP (>1:8192), suggesting higher exposure due to management factors and increased life span in captivity. Seropositivity in howler monkeys was positively related to forest cover and inversely related to annual rainfall. For capuchins, annual rainfall was inversely related to seropositivity. Surveillance of T. gondii exposure in NP in captivity and in the wild is required to understand drivers of the infection and develop novel strategies to protect them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Niehaus
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.,Posgrado Regional en Ciencias Veterinarias Tropicales, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica
| | - Manuel Spínola
- Instituto Internacional de Conservación y Manejo de Vida Silvestre, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Norman Rojas
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica
| | - Oscar Rico-Chávez
- Departamento de Etología, Fauna Silvestre y Animales de Laboratorio, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Carlos N Ibarra-Cerdeña
- Departamento de Ecología Humana, Centro de Investigaciones y de Estudios de Avanzados del IPN (Cinvestav), Unidad Mérida, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Janet Foley
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Gerardo Suzán
- Departamento de Etología, Fauna Silvestre y Animales de Laboratorio, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Andrea Chaves
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.,Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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Chaves A, Ibarra-Cerdeña CN, López-Pérez AM, Monge O, Avendaño R, Ureña-Saborio H, Chavarría M, Zaldaña K, Sánchez L, Ortíz-Malavassi E, Suzan G, Foley J, Gutiérrez-Espeleta GA. Bocaparvovirus, Erythroparvovirus and Tetraparvovirus in New World Primates from Central America. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 67:377-387. [PMID: 31529612 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Parvoviruses in the genera Bocaparvovirus (HBoV), Erythroparvovirus (B19) and Tetraparvovirus (PARV4) are the only autonomous parvoviruses known to be associated with human and non-human primates based on studies and clinical cases in humans worldwide and non-human primates in Asia and Africa. Here, the presence of these agents with pathogenic potential was assessed by PCR in blood and faeces from 55 howler monkeys, 112 white-face monkeys, 3 squirrel monkeys and 127 spider monkeys in Costa Rica and El Salvador. Overall, 3.7% (11/297) of the monkeys had HboV DNA, 0.67% (2/297) had B19 DNA, and 14.1% (42/297) had PARV4 DNA, representing the first detection of these viruses in New World Primates (NWP). Sex was significantly associated with the presence of HBoV, males having greater risk up to nine times compared with females. Captivity was associated with increased prevalence for PARV4 and when all viruses were analysed together. This study provides compelling molecular evidence of parvoviruses in NWPs and underscores the importance of future research aimed at understanding how these viruses behave in natural environments of the Neotropics and what variables may favour their presence and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Chaves
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.,Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Carlos N Ibarra-Cerdeña
- Departamento de Ecología Humana, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (Cinvestav), Unidad Mérida, Mérida, México
| | - Andrés M López-Pérez
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.,Departamento de Etología, Fauna Silvestre y Animales de Laboratorio, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México D.F, México
| | - Otto Monge
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Roberto Avendaño
- Centro Nacional de Innovaciones Biotecnológicas (CENIBiot), CeNAT-CONARE, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Hilary Ureña-Saborio
- Centro Nacional de Innovaciones Biotecnológicas (CENIBiot), CeNAT-CONARE, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Max Chavarría
- Centro Nacional de Innovaciones Biotecnológicas (CENIBiot), CeNAT-CONARE, San José, Costa Rica.,Escuela de Química & CIPRONA, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Karla Zaldaña
- Asociación Territorios Vivos El Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador
| | - Lucía Sánchez
- Asociación Territorios Vivos El Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador
| | - Edgar Ortíz-Malavassi
- Escuela de Ingienería Forestal, Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Cartago, Costa Rica
| | - Gerardo Suzan
- Departamento de Etología, Fauna Silvestre y Animales de Laboratorio, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México D.F, México
| | - Janet Foley
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
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Dolz G, Chaves A, Gutiérrez-Espeleta GA, Ortiz-Malavasi E, Bernal-Valle S, Herrero MV. Detection of antibodies against flavivirus over time in wild non-human primates from the lowlands of Costa Rica. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219271. [PMID: 31276532 PMCID: PMC6611622 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Two-hundred-nine free ranging non-human primates from 31 locations throughout Costa Rica were captured and released between 1993 and 2012, and blood samples, sera or plasma were collected, to detect antigens and antibodies, and so assess the distribution of active and passive flavivirus infections over time. A competitive enzyme-linked immunoassay for the detection of antibodies was used to determine the distribution of past flavivirus infections over time, while Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect active West Nile Virus (WNV) and Dengue virus (DENV) infections. The first serological evidence of flavivirus in these animals was determined in 1993, at the same time when DENV re-emerged in humans from Costa Rica. An increase in the number of seropositive wild monkeys to flavivirus was determined over time in the country (11.3% seropositivity in 1993–1996, 20.7% in 2001–2008, and finally 52.9% in 2010–2012). Furthermore, the presence of DENV2 was detected in samples from four howler monkeys collected in 2001–2002, whereas DENV2, DENV3, and DENV4 were found in samples from four white-faced monkeys, and WNV in three howler monkeys living in the Pacific coast of Costa Rica during 2010–2012. The habitat where the positive PCR individuals lived were characterized as fragmented forests, having temperatures ranging from 26°C to 28°C, altitudes below 250 meters above sea level, high precipitation during 7 to 9 months (1500–4000 mm), and a marked dry season of 3 to 5 months. All these animals were living near mangroves; however, they did not show clinical signs of illness at the time of sampling. Results obtained show that the number of seropositive wild non-human primates to flavivirus were increasing during time in the country, longitudinal studies are needed to investigate their role as sentinels of these viruses and to determine if flavivirus infections can affect these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaby Dolz
- Laboratorio de Entomología, Programa de Investigación en Medicina Poblacional, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
- * E-mail:
| | - Andrea Chaves
- Laboratorio de Entomología, Programa de Investigación en Medicina Poblacional, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | | | | | - Sofía Bernal-Valle
- Laboratorio de Entomología, Programa de Investigación en Medicina Poblacional, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Marco Vinicio Herrero
- Laboratorio de Entomología, Programa de Investigación en Medicina Poblacional, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
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Abstract
Objectives: Norrie disease is an X-linked recessive disorder in which patients are born blind and develop sensory hearing loss in adolescence. The hearing loss associated with Norrie disease has been shown in a genetically altered knockout mouse to involve dysfunction of the stria vascularis; most other structures are preserved until the later stages of the disease. The objective of this study was to characterize the audiologic phenotype of Norrie disease for comparison with the pathophysiologic mechanism. Methods: The design combined two series of clinical audiologic evaluations, with special attention to speech intelligibility. Results: The audiologic results for 12 affected individuals and 10 carriers show that patients with Norrie disease retain high speech intelligibility scores even when the threshold loss is severe. Conclusions: The cochlear mechanism — failure of the stria vascularis — accounts for some of the higher values in the wide distribution of speech scores in cases with similar pure tone audiograms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Halpin
- Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Chinchilla Carmona M, Guerrero Bermúdez O, Gutiérrez-Espeleta GA, Sánchez Porras R, Rodríguez Ortiz B. Parásitos intestinales en monos congo Alouatta palliata (Primates: Cebidae) de Costa Rica. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.15517/rbt.v53i3-4.14612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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10
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Rodríguez-Matamoros J, Villalobos-Brenes F, Gutiérrez-Espeleta GA. Viabilidad poblacional de <i>Alouatta palliata</i> (Primates: Atelidae) y <i>Cebus capucinus</i> (Primates: Cebidae) en el Refugio de Vida Silvestre Privado Nogal, Sarapiquí, Heredia, Costa Rica. REV BIOL TROP 2012. [DOI: 10.15517/rbt.v60i2.4001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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11
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Villanea FA, Perry GH, Gutiérrez-Espeleta GA, Dominy NJ. ASPM and the evolution of cerebral cortical size in a community of New World monkeys. PLoS One 2012; 7:e44928. [PMID: 23028686 PMCID: PMC3459963 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2012] [Accepted: 08/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The ASPM (abnormal spindle-like microcephaly associated) gene has been proposed as a major determinant of cerebral cortical size among primates, including humans. Yet the specific functions of ASPM and its connection to human intelligence remain controversial. This debate is limited in part by a taxonomic focus on Old World monkeys and apes. Here we expand the comparative context of ASPM sequence analyses with a study of New World monkeys, a radiation of primates in which enlarged brain size has evolved in parallel in spider monkeys (genus Ateles) and capuchins (genus Cebus). The primate community of Costa Rica is perhaps a model system because it allows for independent pairwise comparisons of smaller- and larger-brained species within two taxonomic families. Accordingly, we analyzed the complete sequence of exon 18 of ASPM in Ateles geoffroyi, Alouatta palliata, Cebus capucinus, and Saimiri oerstedii. As the analysis of multiple species in a genus improves phylogenetic reconstruction, we also analyzed eleven published sequences from other New World monkeys. Our exon-wide, lineage-specific analysis of eleven genera and the ratio of rates of nonsynonymous to synonymous substitutions (dN/dS) on ASPM revealed no detectable evidence for positive selection in the lineages leading to Ateles or Cebus, as indicated by dN/dS ratios of <1.0 (0.6502 and 0.4268, respectively). Our results suggest that a multitude of interacting genes have driven the evolution of larger brains among primates, with different genes involved in this process in different encephalized lineages, or at least with evidence for positive selection not readily apparent for the same genes in all lineages. The primate community of Costa Rica may serve as a model system for future studies that aim to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying cognitive capacity and cortical size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando A Villanea
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America.
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Rodríguez-Matamoros J, Villalobos-Brenes F, Gutiérrez-Espeleta GA. [Population viability of Alouatta palliata (Primates: Atelidae) and Cebus capucinus (Primates: Cebidae) at Refugio de Vida Silvestre Privado Nogal, Sarapiquí, Heredia, Costa Rica]. REV BIOL TROP 2012; 60:809-832. [PMID: 23894948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Habitat destruction may cause wildlife population fragmentation and is considered an important factor in small population species extinction. As wildlife populations become smaller, threats to their stability and persistence arise as a result of demographic, environmental and genetic stochastic factors. The aim of this work was to study the effects of population fragmentation on the long term viability of Alouatta palliata and Cebus capucinus populations, at Refugio de Vida Silvestre Privado Nogal, Sarapiquí (RVSPN), Heredia. For this we used the computer software VORTEX to run a population viability analysis (PVA) for both species. The input data of the PVA were taken from the demography structure of the RVSPN, literature sources from the species and from PVA related papers. We evaluated two sets of scenarios: small fragmented populations to reflect the population current state, and one larger and continuous population, to reflect the effect of reforestation actions followed by RVSPN to connect forest fragments. Results suggest that both A. palliata and C. capucinus can survive in isolated forest fragments. However, if different factors as inbreeding depression, catastrophes or habitat loss were incorporated to the scenarios, the small fragmented populations become unstable and the risk of extinction increased for both species. Continuous and larger populations were more robust against the threats incorporated in the scenarios when compared to the current situation of smaller and fragmented populations. The best management option for both species would be to continue reforestation efforts in the area to connect forest fragments, with the result of larger and continuous populations of both species. It is important to continue the observation of both species populations, and to promote a habitat management to reduce the negative effects of stochastic environmental events.
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Troyo A, Solano ME, Calderón-Arguedas O, Chinchilla M, Sánchez R, Gutiérrez-Espeleta GA. Prevalence of fur mites (Acari: Atopomelidae) in non-human primates of Costa Rica. REV BIOL TROP 2009; 57:353-60. [PMID: 19637712 DOI: 10.15517/rbt.v57i1-2.11326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites have been investigated for some New World primates; however, very little is known about ectoparasites and specifically fur mites. In this study, Alouatta palliata, Cebus capucinus, Saimiri oerstedii, and Ateles geoffroyi monkeys from different areas of Costa Rica were searched for fur mites. A total of 276 monkeys were evaluated, and 51 of them were positive for mites of the family Atopomelidae. Listrocarpus alouattae was identified on 22.3% of A. palliata; Listrocarpus capucinus on 12.8% of C. capucinus; and Listrocarpus costaricensis on 36.8% of S. oerstedii; No fur mites were found on A. geoffroyi. Sex was not considered a determinant of mite infestation, but prevalence was significantly higher in the Central Volcanic Mountain Range Conservation Area for L. alouattae (p=0.01) and in the Central Pacific Conservation Area for L. capucinus (p=0.002). These primate fur mites are highly host-specific. Differences in the geographical distribution may be due to monkey behavior and history, as well as to environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Troyo
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
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Ramírez Monge A, Gutiérrez-Espeleta GA, Loáiciga Vega K. Familial breast cancer in Costa Rica: an initial approach. REV BIOL TROP 2007; 52:531-6. [PMID: 17361546 DOI: 10.15517/rbt.v1i2.15293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a worldwide problem because of its high rates of incidence and associated mortality. By 2000, more than 6.2 million people died from this illness worldwide. Among all types of cancer, breast cancer is one of the most studied. Each year, one million new cases are diagnosed around the world. We can classify breast cancer into two main kinds: sporadic cases and those which are a product of inherited genetic alterations. Approximately 5-10% of breast cancer cases are the result of inherited mutations, or alterations in breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2. Like other countries, Costa Rica possesses high rates of incidence and mortality for breast cancer. According to the "Registro Nacional de Tumores" (National Office of Tumor Records), in 2000 breast cancer had the highest rate of incidence and in 2002 it had the highest rate of mortality in comparison to other types of cancer. For this reason and the generalized lack of knowledge in the field we conducted an epidemiological research on breast cancer patients from Hospital San Juan de Dios, San José, Costa Rica, to find families with a history of breast cancer, and to determine the occurrence of familial cases within the population studied. So far, we have found 23 families, within which we discovered very informative cases that have rendered the identification of a pattern of inheritance. These findings allow us to announce that in Costa Rica there are several cases of inherited breast cancer and that we need more research is needed to improve the prevention, control, and treatment of this disease.
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Carmona MC, Bermúdez OG, Gutiérrez-Espeleta GA, Porras RS, Ortiz BR. [Intestinal parasites in howler monkeys Alouatta palliata (Primates: Cebidae) of Costa Rica]. REV BIOL TROP 2005; 53:437-45. [PMID: 17354453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Fecal samples of 102 howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) from several sites of Costa Rica were studied for intestinal parasites. The zones studied were: Central Valley (San Ramón, Alajuela), Central Pacific (Chomes and Manuel Antonio National Park. Puntarenas), North Pacific (Palo Verde Park and Playa Potrero, Guanacaste). Chira Island in the Nicoya Gulf and Caribean area (Cahuita. Limón). Animals were anesthetized with dards containing Telazol in order to collect the fecal material; some monkeys defecated spontaneously and others by direct stimulation. Samples were studied in saline solution (0.85%) and a Iodine solution, or stained with Haematoxylin. The material was also cultured in Dobell culture medium to determine the presence of amoeba and flagellates. Strongvloides. Controrchis. Trypanoxyuris genera were found in 3.4% of the samples. In addition 16.7% to 80% of the animals showed protozoa infection with Endolimax, Entamoeba, Trichomonas and Giardia. It is discussed the relationships of parasite infection with environmental conditions, animal population and human presence, specially in the monkey conservation programs point of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misael Chinchilla Carmona
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica.
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Abstract
In the 1960s, the Arabian oryx was one of the most endangered species in the world, extinct in the wild and surviving in only a few captive herds. The present day population of over 2000 descends from a small number of founders and may have restricted genetic variation for important adaptive genes. We have examined the amount of genetic variation for a class II gene in the major histocompatibility complex thought to be the most important genetic basis for pathogen resistance in vertebrates. We found three very divergent alleles, which on average, differed by 24 nucleotides and 15 amino acids in the 236-bp fragment we examined. Using single-strand conformation polymorphism, we found that in a sample of 57 animals, the alleles were in Hardy-Weinberg proportions, although one allele was found only in four heterozygous individuals. The average heterozygosity for the 22 amino acid positions involved in antigen binding was 0.165, three times as high as that for the 56 amino acids not involved with antigen binding. Because the three alleles have such divergent sequences, it is likely that they may recognize peptides from quite different pathogens. As a result, maintenance of these variants should be considered as a goal in the captive breeding program of the Arabian oryx.
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Affiliation(s)
- P W Hedrick
- Department of Biology, Arizona State University, Tempe 95287, USA.
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Rehm HL, Gutiérrez-Espeleta GA, Garcia R, Jiménez G, Khetarpal U, Priest JM, Sims KB, Keats BJ, Morton CC. Norrie disease gene mutation in a large Costa Rican kindred with a novel phenotype including venous insufficiency. Hum Mutat 2000; 9:402-8. [PMID: 9143918 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1098-1004(1997)9:5<402::aid-humu4>3.0.co;2-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
A large Costa Rican kindred has been identified with 15 males affected with congenital blindness, progressive bearing loss, and venous insufficiency. Due to ophthalmological and audio-otological findings, including bilateral retinal dysplasia and detachment, progressive bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and an X-linked pattern of inheritance, a tentative diagnosis of Norrie disease was considered. However, venous insufficiency is a clinical finding not reportedly associated with Norrie disease. Genetic linkage analysis using microsatellite repeat markers demonstrated linkage to Xp11.23-11.4 (z = 2.723 at theta = 0.0). A candidate gene approach using the Norrie disease gene (NDP), which maps to Xp11.3, revealed a point mutation in the third exon resulting in substitution of phenylalanine for leucine at position 61. The precise function of the gene product, norrin, has yet to be elucidated; however, it has been postulated to be involved in the regulation of neural cell differentiation and proliferation, although hypotheses have been considered for its role in vascular development in the eye. The finding of a mutation in NDP in association with peripheral vascular disease may provide valuable insight into the potential role of this gene in cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- H L Rehm
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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Robertson NG, Khetarpal U, Gutiérrez-Espeleta GA, Bieber FR, Morton CC. Isolation of novel and known genes from a human fetal cochlear cDNA library using subtractive hybridization and differential screening. Genomics 1994; 23:42-50. [PMID: 7829101 DOI: 10.1006/geno.1994.1457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
We used a combination of subtractive hybridization and differential screening strategies to identify genes that may function normally in hearing and, when mutated, result in deafness. A human fetal cochlear (membranous labyrinth) cDNA library was subtracted against total human fetal brain RNAs by an avidin-biotin-based procedure to enrich for cochlear transcripts. Subtracted cochlear clones were differentially screened with 32P-labeled total cochlear and total brain cDNA probes. Sequence analysis of clones that hybridized more intensely with cochlear than with brain cDNA probes revealed some previously characterized genes, including mitochondrial sequences, collagen type I alpha-2 (COL1A2), collagen type II alpha-1 (COL2A1), collagen type III alpha-1 (COL3A1), spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SAT), osteonectin (SPARC), and peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22). Also identified were clones that are potential novel cochlear genes. Northern blots of cochlear and brain RNAs probed with COL1A2, COL2A1, COL3A1, SAT, SPARC, PMP22, and a novel sequence, designated Coch-5B2, confirm results of the subtractive procedure by showing preferential cochlear expression. A number of these genes serve structural or regulatory functions in extracellular matrix or neural conduction; defects in some of these genes are associated with disorders involving hearing loss. Partial sequence analysis of Coch-5B2 reveals a von Willebrand factor type A-like domain in this cDNA. To assess the cochlear specificity of Coch-5B2, a Northern blot panel of 14 human fetal tissue RNAs was probed with Coch-5B2, showing differential expression of this novel gene in the cochlea.
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Affiliation(s)
- N G Robertson
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
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