A survey of hemoparasite infections in free-ranging mammals and reptiles in French Guiana.
Blood smears of 1,353 free-ranging mammals (35 species) and 112 reptiles (31 species) from French Guiana were examined for hemoparasites. Parasites from 3 major groups were recorded: Apicomplexa (including hemogregarines, piroplasms, and Plasmodium spp.), Trypanosomatidae, and Filaroidea. Fifty percent of the individuals (86% of the species) were infected by parasites from at least 1 group. Hemogregarines, identified as Hepatozoon sp., infected numerous snakes with high prevalences (30-100%); infection is reported for the first time in 5 host genera of snakes: Clelia, Oxybelis, Pseustes, Rhinobotryum, and Bothriopsis. Infections were also observed in 4 marsupial species and 1 rodent. Hepatozoon spp. recorded in Didelphis albiventris (Marsupialia) and Coendou prehensilis (Rodentia) may be new species. Plasmodium sp. were observed in 2 snake species, Dipsas indica (Colubridae) and Bothrops atrox (Viperidae). Plasmodium brasilianum was recorded in all 5 primate species examined. Piroplasms were observed in all mammal orders except primates. Large terrestrial rodents were the main hosts of members of the Babesidae; 42% of Myoprocta acouchy, 36% of Dasyprocta agouti, and 44% of Agouti paca were infected. Trypanosomes were common in mammals and were recorded in 70% of the examined genera. Trypanosoma cruzi-like infections were reported in 21 mammal species, including sloths, rodents, carnivores, and primates. Microfilariae were also widespread, with higher prevalences in sloths, anteaters, and porcupines (>40% of the individuals infected) and in tamarins (95% infected). This survey highlights some potential anthropozoonotic risks due to the recent further evidence of Plasmodium brasilianum and P. malariae as a single species and to the increased diversity of hosts for Trypanosoma cruzi.
de Thoisy
B
B
Service de Primatologie, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana, France.
Michel
J C
JC
Vogel
I
I
Vié
J C
JC
D000818:Animals; D016782:Apicomplexa / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods; D005370:Filarioidea / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005616:French Guiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D008322:Mammals / Q000145:classification / Q000469:parasitology*; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary; D010273:Parasitic Diseases, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D012104:Reptiles / Q000145:classification / Q000469:parasitology*; D014351:Trypanosomatina / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification