Entamoeba histolytica: naturally occurring infections in baboons.
Entamoeba chattoni frequently occurs as an intestinal infection in non-human primates. It has been isolated from both wild and captive animals. Morphologically this amoeba resembles E. histolytica. E. histolytica has also been isolated from non-human primates on a number of occasions but these isolations have been from captive animals. In recent years identification of E. histolytica has been enhanced by the introduction of iso-enzyme electrophoresis methods. This technology has been widely applied to amoebae isolated from humans from many parts of the world. Limited work using iso-enzyme electrophoresis on non-human primates in captivity has confirmed the earlier parasitological studies mentioned above as both E. histolytica and E. chattoni were isolated; furthermore zymodeme (strain or species based on the characteristic iso-enzyme electrophoretic pattern) analysis demonstrated that these two organisms could be readily distinguished by this method. The importance of establishing whether E. histolytica occurs in wild primates as a true zoonosis was emphasised by these studies, particularly from the point of view of potential disease transmission. A study of baboons (Papio ursinus) in South African game reserves has been initiated and three surveys have been conducted in the Kruger National Park; these baboons are considered to live in isolation from humans. Of the 210 isolations attempted 65-75% yielded E. chattoni while E. histolytica were cultured from the faeces of 1-3% of the baboons. Although the prevalence rates varied in each of the 3 study locations both species of amoeba were found in baboons from all of them. All the E. histolytica isolated thus far have been non-pathogenic zymodemes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Jackson
T F
TF
Research Institute for Diseases in a Tropical Environment South African Medical Research Council, Congella.
Sargeaunt
P G
PG
Visser
P S
PS
Gathiram
V
V
Suparsad
S
S
Anderson
C B
CB
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000469:parasitology*; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000032:analysis; D004747:Entamoeba / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004749:Entamoebiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis; D008992:Monkey Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D010215:Papio / Q000469:parasitology*; D015995:Prevalence; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D013019:South Africa; D013045:Species Specificity; D015047:Zoonoses
D007527:Isoenzymes; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D010450:Endopeptidases