Cryptosporidium and giardia species in newly and previously habituated gorillas and nearby water sources in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda.

Gizamba Jacob Mugoya,Kabanda Taseera,Celsus Sente,Catherine Atuhaire,Samuel Nambile Cumber,Claude Ngwayu Nkfusai

doi:10.11604/pamj.2019.34.112.19288

Abstract

Introductioncryptosporidium and giardia are of great one health significance and major cause of protozoan diarrhea in humans and primates; they are found in the faecal matter of animals and humans and also in contaminated water and soil as well. Therefore, we aimed at establishing the prevalence and shedding intensity of faecal Cryptosporidium and giardia in the Newly Habituated Mountain Gorillas (NHMG) and Previously Habituated Mountain Gorillas (PHMG) and in selected water sources within the gorilla home ranges in the month of January 2018.Methodswe conducted a cross sectional study in the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where a total of 56 faecal samples from both NHMG (34) and PHMG (22) and 30 water samples were purposively collected. Faecal and water samples were transported in a cooler box at 4ºC to Makerere University Parasitology Laboratory for analysis. The samples were analyzed using modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique and Ether concentration method for Cryptosporidium and giardia respectively.Resultsthe prevalence of cryptosporidium was established as 13 (59.1%), 15 (44.1%) and 7 (23.3%) in PHMG, NHMG and water respectively. The mean concentration of the oocysts per gram was 222±52.9 in PHMG, 174±41.5 in NHMG and 31±13.2 in water. The prevalence of giardia was 3 (13.6%), 4 (11.8%) and 3 (10%) in PHMG, NHMG and water respectively. The mean concentration of the oocysts per gram was 34±19.9 in PHMG, 25±12.4 in NHMG and 5±2.9 in water. There was no significant difference in both the prevalence of cryptosporidium (p>0.05) and giardia (p>0.05) in the PHMG and NHMG. This indicates that there is high risk of cross infection among the gorillas within the forest sharing similar home ranges.Conclusionthe park authorities should ensure that procedures for proper waste disposal while in the forest are properly followed, water drawn for drinking from the forest should be avoided. Further research should be carried out to identify whether the strains of the parasites found in water or other animals in the forest are the same with strains in gorilla dung in order to confirm cross infection.

Highlights

Cryptosporidium and giardia are ubiquitous enteric microscopic protozoon parasites that infects humans, domestic animals and wild animals worldwide [1]
In general the prevalence of cryptosporidium and giardia is high in the Previously Habituated Mountain Gorillas (PHMG) than in the Newly Habituated Mountain Gorillas (NHMG), with Rushaga tourism zone having a higher cryptosporidium prevalence than Nkuringo tourism zone, whereas Nkuringo zone had a higher prevalence of giardia
There was no significant difference between the prevalence of cryptosporidium and giardia in the PHMG and NHMG and in all the gorilla groups sampled all groups posed equal risks to each other

Summary

Introduction

Cryptosporidium and giardia are ubiquitous enteric microscopic protozoon parasites that infects humans, domestic animals and wild animals worldwide [1] These organisms are the major causes of protozoan diarrhea in humans and other primates [2]; they are found in the faecal matter of animals and humans and in contaminated water even in soil as well. Cryptosporidium and giardia from cattle are potential zoonotic pathogens and contact with animals, manure or contaminated water leads to infections in humans. Both organisms cause gastrointestinal diseases and transmission is sustained by both zoonotic and anthropologic cycles [3, 4]. The resistant stages are microscopic in size and of low specific gravity, which facilitates their dissemination in the water sources [6]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion