Abstract
BackgroundNonhuman primates (NHPs) play a significant role in zoonotic spill-overs, serving as either reservoirs, or amplifiers, of multiple neglected tropical diseases, including tick-borne infections. Anaplasma phagocytophilum are obligate intracellular bacteria of the family Anaplasmatacae, transmitted by Ixodid ticks and cause granulocytic anaplasmosis (formerly known as Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis (HGE)) in a wide range of wild and domestic mammals and humans too. The aim of this study was to determine whether Anaplasma phagocytophilum was circulating in olive baboons and vervet monkeys in Laikipia County, Kenya.ResultsSome 146 blood samples collected from olive baboons and 18 from vervet monkeys from Mpala Research Center and Ol jogi Conservancy in Laikipia County were screened for the presence of Anaplasma species using conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and then A. phagocytophilum was confirmed by sequencing using conventional PCR targeting 16S rRNA. This study found an overall prevalence of 18.3% for Anaplasma species. DNA sequences confirmed Anaplasma phagocytophilum in olive baboons for the first time in Kenya.ConclusionThis study provides valuable information on the endemicity of A. phagocytophilum bacteria in olive baboons in Kenya. Future research is needed to establish the prevalence and public health implications of zoonotic A. phagocytophilum isolates and the role of nonhuman primates as reservoirs in the region.
Highlights
Nonhuman primates (NHPs) play a significant role in zoonotic spill-overs, serving as either reservoirs, or amplifiers, of multiple neglected tropical diseases, including tick-borne infections
This study focused on two NHP species: olive baboons and vervet monkeys, since they are closely related to humans phylogenetically and are implicated in most of the listed emerging human pathogens [20]
Molecular characterization of Anaplasma phagocytophilum. 16S Ribosomal Ribonucleic acid (rRNA) genotypes Nine of the ten Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) products were successfully sequenced on both Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) strands and generated nucleotide sequences with primers EHR16SD/R targeting 345 bp of the 16S rRNA gene of Anaplasma species
Summary
Nonhuman primates (NHPs) play a significant role in zoonotic spill-overs, serving as either reservoirs, or amplifiers, of multiple neglected tropical diseases, including tick-borne infections. Primates are closely related to humans phylogenetically and ecologically [4], and they can indirectly transmit infectious agents to humans through intermediate hosts, arthropod vectors or directly through contact with or bites from the NHP, or through the consumption of NHP bush meat [5]. Certain factors such as forested tropical regions experiencing land-use changes and encroachment, as well as those with a high wildlife biodiversity, facilitate the spread of Masika et al BMC Veterinary Research (2021) 17:385 these diseases to livestock and man [6]. Others include adoption of new technology in farms, destruction of native forest habitats, climate change, global travel and human encroachment into new habitats [2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
