Ecology of malaria infections in western lowland gorillas inhabiting Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas, Central African Republic
Language English Country England, Great Britain Media print-electronic
Document type Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
PubMed
25736484
DOI
10.1017/s0031182015000086
PII: S0031182015000086
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- Keywords
- Plasmodium spp, African great apes, lowland gorilla, malaria,
- MeSH
- Cytochromes b genetics MeSH
- Ecosystem MeSH
- Feces parasitology MeSH
- Phylogeny MeSH
- Gorilla gorilla parasitology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Malaria, Vivax epidemiology parasitology transmission veterinary MeSH
- Malaria epidemiology parasitology transmission veterinary MeSH
- Ape Diseases epidemiology parasitology transmission MeSH
- Plasmodium falciparum classification genetics isolation & purification MeSH
- Plasmodium ovale classification genetics isolation & purification MeSH
- Plasmodium vivax classification genetics isolation & purification MeSH
- Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
- Malaria, Falciparum epidemiology parasitology transmission veterinary MeSH
- Conservation of Natural Resources MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- Central African Republic epidemiology MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Cytochromes b MeSH
African great apes are susceptible to infections with several species of Plasmodium, including the predecessor of Plasmodium falciparum. Little is known about the ecology of these pathogens in gorillas. A total of 131 gorilla fecal samples were collected from Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas to study the diversity and prevalence of Plasmodium species. The effects of sex and age as factors influencing levels of infection with Plasmodium in habituated gorilla groups were assessed. Ninety-five human blood samples from the same locality were also analysed to test for cross-transmission between humans and gorillas. According to a cytB PCR assay 32% of gorilla's fecal samples and 43·1% human individuals were infected with Plasmodium spp. All Laverania species, Plasmodium vivax, and for the first time Plasmodium ovale were identified from gorilla samples. Plasmodium praefalciparum was present only from habituated individuals and P. falciparum was detected from human samples. Although few P. vivax and P. ovale sequences were obtained from gorillas, the evidence for cross-species transmission between humans and gorillas requires more in depth analysis. No association was found between malaria infection and sex, however, younger individuals aged ≤6 years were more susceptible. Switching between two different Plasmodium spp. was observed in three individuals. Prolonged monitoring of Plasmodium infection during various seasons and recording behavioural data is necessary to draw a precise picture about the infection dynamics.
Health Institute in Ústí nad Labem Sokolovska 60 Prague 8 180 00 Czech Republic
WWF Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas BP 1053 Bangui Central African Republic
References provided by Crossref.org
