Molecular epidemiology of Trypanosomatids and Trypanosoma cruzi in primates from Peru

Aysanoa, E. et al. (2017) Molecular epidemiology of Trypanosomatids and Trypanosoma cruzi in primates from Peru. EcoHealth, 14(4), pp. 732-742. (doi: 10.1007/s10393-017-1271-8) (PMID:29098492) (PMCID:PMC5818207)

Abstract

We determined the prevalence rate and risk of infection of Trypanosoma cruzi and other trypanosomatids in Peruvian non-human primates (NHPs) in the wild (n=126) and indifferent captive conditions (n=183). Blood samples were collected on filter paper, FTA cards, or EDTA tubes and tested using a nested PCR protocol targeting the 24Sar RNA gene. Main risk factors associated with trypanosomatid and T. cruzi infection were genus and the human–animal context (wild vs captive animals). Wild NHPs had higher prevalence of both trypanosomatids (64.3 vs 27.9%, P<0.001) and T. cruzi (8.7 vs 3.3%, P=0.057), compared to captive NHPs, suggesting that parasite transmission in NHPs occurs more actively in the sylvatic cycle. Interms of primate family, Pitheciidae had the highest trypanosomatid prevalence (20/22, 90.9%) and Cebidae had the highest T. cruzi prevalence (15/117, 12.8%). T. cruzi and trypanosomatids are common in Peruvian NHPs and could pose a health risk to human and animals that has not been properly studied.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Perez Lazo, Dr Jocelyn
• Authors: Aysanoa, E., Mayor, P., Mendoza, A. P., Zariquiey, C. M., Morales, E. A., Perez, J. G., Bowler, M., Ventocilla, J. A., González, C., Baldeviano, G. C., and Lescano, A. G.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: EcoHealth
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 1612-9202
• ISSN (Online): 1612-9210
• Published Online: 02 November 2017