Human parvovirus 4 (PARV4, family Parvoviridae, genus Tetraparvovirus) displays puzzling features, such as uncertain clinical importance/significance, unclear routes of transmission, and discontinuous geographical distribution. The origin, or the general reservoir, of human PARV4 infection is unknown. We aimed to detect and characterize PARV4 virus in faecal samples collected from two wild chimpanzee populations and 19 species of captive non-human primates. We aimed to investigate these species as a potential reservoir and alternate route of transmission on the African continent. From almost 500 samples screened, a single wild Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii sample tested positive. Full genome analysis, as well as single ORF phylogenies, confirmed species-specific PARV4 infection.
- MeSH
- divoká zvířata virologie MeSH
- feces virologie MeSH
- fylogeneze MeSH
- genom virový MeSH
- infekce viry z čeledi Parvoviridae přenos veterinární virologie MeSH
- nemoci primátů přenos virologie MeSH
- otevřené čtecí rámce MeSH
- Pan troglodytes MeSH
- Parvovirinae klasifikace genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: Although a high genetic diversity of Plasmodium spp. circulating in great apes has been revealed recently due to non-invasive methods enabling detection in faecal samples, little is known about the actual mechanisms underlying the presence of Plasmodium DNA in faeces. Great apes are commonly infected by strongylid nematodes, including hookworms, which cause intestinal bleeding. The impact of strongylid infections on the detection of Plasmodium DNA in faeces was assessed in wild, western, lowland gorillas from Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas, Central African Republic and eastern chimpanzees from Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Uganda. METHODS: Fifty-one faecal samples from 22 habituated gorillas and 74 samples from 15 habituated chimpanzees were analysed using Cytochrome-b PCR assay and coprological methods. RESULTS: Overall, 26.4% of the analysed samples were positive for both Plasmodium spp. and strongylids. However, the results showed no significant impact of intensity of infections of strongylids on detection of Plasmodium DNA in gorilla and chimpanzee faeces. CONCLUSION: Bleeding caused by strongylid nematode Necator spp. cannot explain the presence of Plasmodium DNA in ape faeces.
- Klíčová slova
- Co-infection, Eastern chimpanzee, Faeces, Malaria, Necator spp., Plasmodium spp., Strongylid, Western lowland gorilla,
- MeSH
- Ancylostoma fyziologie MeSH
- ankylostomóza parazitologie MeSH
- feces chemie MeSH
- Gorilla gorilla * MeSH
- malárie epidemiologie parazitologie veterinární MeSH
- Necator fyziologie MeSH
- nekatoriáza parazitologie MeSH
- nemoci lidoopů epidemiologie parazitologie MeSH
- Pan troglodytes * MeSH
- Plasmodium izolace a purifikace MeSH
- protozoální DNA analýza MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Středoafrická republika epidemiologie MeSH
- Uganda epidemiologie MeSH
- Názvy látek
- protozoální DNA MeSH
BACKGROUND: Habitat types can affect vector and pathogen distribution and transmission dynamics. The prevalence and genetic diversity of Plasmodium spp. in two eastern chimpanzee populations-Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Uganda and Issa Valley, Tanzania-inhabiting different habitat types was investigated. As a follow up study the effect of host sex and age on infections patterns in Kalinzu Forest Reserve chimpanzees was determined. METHODS: Molecular methods were employed to detect Plasmodium DNA from faecal samples collected from savanna-woodland (Issa Valley) and forest (Kalinzu Forest Reserve) chimpanzee populations. RESULTS: Based on a Cytochrome-b PCR assay, 32 out of 160 Kalinzu chimpanzee faecal samples were positive for Plasmodium DNA, whilst no positive sample was detected in 171 Issa Valley chimpanzee faecal samples. Sequence analysis revealed that previously known Laverania species (Plasmodium reichenowi, Plasmodium billbrayi and Plasmodium billcollinsi) are circulating in the Kalinzu chimpanzees. A significantly higher proportion of young individuals were tested positive for infections, and switching of Plasmodium spp. was reported in one individual. Amongst the positive individuals sampled more than once, the success of amplification of Plasmodium DNA from faeces varied over sampling time. CONCLUSION: The study showed marked differences in the prevalence of malaria parasites among free ranging chimpanzee populations living in different habitats. In addition, a clear pattern of Plasmodium infections with respect to host age was found. The results presented in this study contribute to understanding the ecological aspects underlying the malaria infections in the wild. Nevertheless, integrative long-term studies on vector abundance, Plasmodium diversity during different seasons between sites would provide more insight on the occurrence, distribution and ecology of these pathogens.
- Klíčová slova
- Cyt-b gene, Laverania, Malaria, Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii, Plasmodium spp.,
- MeSH
- cytochromy b genetika MeSH
- feces parazitologie MeSH
- malárie epidemiologie parazitologie veterinární MeSH
- nemoci primátů epidemiologie parazitologie MeSH
- Pan troglodytes * MeSH
- Plasmodium klasifikace genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- prevalence MeSH
- protozoální DNA genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- protozoální proteiny genetika MeSH
- sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- srovnávací studie MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Tanzanie epidemiologie MeSH
- Uganda epidemiologie MeSH
- Názvy látek
- cytochromy b MeSH
- protozoální DNA MeSH
- protozoální proteiny 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.
- Klíčová slova
- Plasmodium spp, African great apes, lowland gorilla, malaria,
- 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 epidemiologie MeSH
- Názvy látek
- cytochromy b MeSH
