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.
- MeSH
- cytochromy b genetika MeSH
- ekosystém MeSH
- feces parazitologie MeSH
- fylogeneze MeSH
- Gorilla gorilla parazitologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- malárie vivax epidemiologie parazitologie přenos veterinární MeSH
- malárie epidemiologie parazitologie přenos veterinární MeSH
- nemoci lidoopů epidemiologie parazitologie přenos MeSH
- Plasmodium falciparum klasifikace genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- Plasmodium ovale klasifikace genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- Plasmodium vivax klasifikace genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
- tropická malárie epidemiologie parazitologie přenos veterinární MeSH
- zachování přírodních zdrojů MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Středoafrická republika MeSH
