Abstract
During the last four years, knowledge about the diversity of Plasmodium species in African great apes has considerably increased. Several new species were described in chimpanzees and gorillas, and some species that were previously considered as strictly of human interest were found to be infecting African apes. The description in gorillas of P. praefalciparum, the closest relative of P. falciparum which is the main malignant agent of human malaria, definitively changed the way we understand the evolution and origin of P. falciparum. This parasite is now considered to have appeared recently, following a cross-species transfer from gorillas to humans. However, the Plasmodium vector mosquito species that have served as bridge between these two host species remain unknown. In order to identify the vectors that ensure ape Plasmodium transmission and evaluate the risk of transfer of these parasites to humans, we carried out a field study in Gabon to capture Anopheles in areas where wild and semi-wild ape populations live. We collected 1070 Anopheles females belonging to 15 species, among which An. carnevalei, An. moucheti and An. marshallii were the most common species. Using mtDNA-based PCR tools, we discovered that An. moucheti, a major human malaria vector in Central Africa, could also ensure the natural transmission of P. praefalciparum among great apes. We also showed that, together with An. vinckei, An. moucheti was infected with P. vivax-like parasites. An. moucheti constitutes, therefore, a major candidate for the transfer of Plasmodium parasites from apes to humans.
Highlights
Recent studies demonstrated that African great apes are infected by different Plasmodium species [1,2], among which four species that are traditionally regarded as human parasites (P. falciparum (3, 4), P. vivax [3,5,6], P. malariae [5,6] and P. ovale [7]
Wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) and gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) live in these two wildlife natural reserves and they can be infected by ape Plasmodium
Our results suggest that An. moucheti, which is as a major Plasmodium vector in humans in Central Africa [17], might transmit Plasmodium in apes in the same geographic area and possibly between apes and humans
Summary
Recent studies demonstrated that African great apes are infected by different Plasmodium species [1,2], among which four species that are traditionally regarded as human parasites (P. falciparum (3, 4), P. vivax [3,5,6], P. malariae [5,6] and P. ovale [7]. Nothing is known about the vector species that ensure Plasmodium transmission in African apes To identify such vectors, authors [10] analyzed mosquito specimens collected close to nests of wild chimpanzees in Western Uganda, but failed to detect any infected mosquito. Several species, including the Anopheles (An.) moucheti ‘‘sub-species’’ and species from the Anopheles nili group, might be candidate vectors [2] These species are major human malaria vectors, are present in and around forests in West and Central Africa and their distribution range largely overlaps with that of great apes.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
