Abstract
Human trichuriasis is a Neglected Tropical Disease, which affects hundreds of millions of persons worldwide. Several studies have reported that non-human primates (NHP) represent important reservoirs for several known zoonotic infectious diseases. In this context, Trichuris infections have been found in a range of NHP species living in natural habitats, including colobus monkeys, macaques, baboons, and chimpanzees. To date, the systematics of the genus Trichuris parasitizing humans and NHP is unclear. During many years, Trichuris trichiura was considered as the whipworm present in humans and primates. Subsequently, molecular studies suggested that Trichuris spp. in humans and NHP represent several species that differ in host specificity. This work examines the current knowledge of T. trichiura and its relationship to whipworm parasites in other primate host species. A phylogenetic hypothesis, based on three mitochondrial genes (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1, cytochrome b, and large subunit rRNA-encoding gene) and two fragments of ribosomal DNA (Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 and 2), allowed us to define a complex of populations of T. trichiura hosting in a large variety of NHP species, in addition to humans. These populations were divided into four phylogenetic groups with a different degree of host specificity. From these data, we carry out a new morphological and biometrical description of the populations of Trichuris based on data cited by other authors as well as those provided in this study. The presence of T. trichiura is analyzed in several NHP species in captivity from different garden zoos as possible reservoir of trichuriasis for humans. This study contributes to clarify questions that lead to identification of new taxa and will determine parasite transmission routes between these primates, allowing the implementation of appropriate control and prevention measures.
Highlights
Worldwide, ∼1.5 billion people, nearly 24% of the world’s population, are infected with soilborne helminths
We address an updated morphological and biometric description of T. trichiura, based on the results provided in the present study as well as on previous studies by different authors who characterized this species combining the analysis of morphological, biometric, and molecular characteristics
For the emendation of the description of T. trichiura, we have considered the populations of P. troglodytes [7], H. sapiens [14], M. sylvanus [17, 21], and P. papio
Summary
Worldwide, ∼1.5 billion people, nearly 24% of the world’s population, are infected with soilborne helminths. The main species of soilborne helminths that infect humans are Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm), Trichuris trichiura (whipworm), and Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale (hookworms) [1]. Between 30 and 80% of cases are recorded in children, who suffer the greatest parasitic burden and those with the most significant symptoms [2]. Transmission of this parasite occurs after ingestion of embryonated eggs. These eggs can enter new hosts through contaminated hands, food, soil, and water. These hatch in the intestine, where L1 larvae are released. The non-embryonated eggs are released from the females and again reach the environment through the host’s feces
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