Abstract
BackgroundCyclospora is a protistan parasite that causes enteritis in several species of animals including humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Cyclospora in captive non-human primates.MethodsA total of 119 faecal samples from Pan troglodytes, Macaca sylvanus, Cercopithecus cephus, Erythrocebus patas, Chlorocebus aethiops and Macaca fascicularis from a wildlife animal rescue center as well as from Macaca fascicularis from an experimental primate research center were tested for the presence of Cyclospora by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis.ResultsCyclospora was detected in three Pan troglodytes (13.6%) and nine (9.3%) Macaca fascicularis.ConclusionsThe present study represents the first record of Cyclospora in captive primates in Europe, suggesting the presence of Cyclospora cayetanensis, which is transmissible to humans.
Highlights
Cyclospora is a protistan parasite that causes enteritis in several species of animals including humans
Samples and isolation of genomic DNA Fresh faecal samples from 119 captive, non-human primate individuals were collected in Italy; 22 samples were from Pan troglodytes, Macaca sylvanus, Cercopithecus cephus, Erythrocebus patas, Chlorocebus aethiops and Macaca fascicularis from a Wildlife Animal Rescue Center (WARC; 2008) and 97 from M. fascicularis from an Experimental Primate Research Center (EPRS; 2011–2012) (Table 1)
Twelve of 119 (10.1%) faecal samples were quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) testpositive for Cyclospora, including 3 (13.6%) chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) from 22 primates from the WARC and 9 (9.3%) from 97 cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) from the EPRC (Table 1)
Summary
Cyclospora is a protistan parasite that causes enteritis in several species of animals including humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Cyclospora in captive non-human primates. Methods: A total of 119 faecal samples from Pan troglodytes, Macaca sylvanus, Cercopithecus cephus, Erythrocebus patas, Chlorocebus aethiops and Macaca fascicularis from a wildlife animal rescue center as well as from Macaca fascicularis from an experimental primate research center were tested for the presence of Cyclospora by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. Conclusions: The present study represents the first record of Cyclospora in captive primates in Europe, suggesting the presence of Cyclospora cayetanensis, which is transmissible to humans. Human cyclosporosis is endemic in developing countries, and in Cyclospora species appear to be underestimated as infectious agents, and very little is known about their epidemiology (including host and geographical ranges) and pathogenicity [7,8]. Infections are transmitted via the faecal-oral route through contaminated environmental water, food or soil, oocysts need to sporulate outside of the mammalian host (from 7–15 days) to be infective [9]
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