title: Prevalence of Babesia microti in free-ranging baboons and African green monkeys.
abstract: Babesia microti-like parasites have been reported to infect captive non-human primates (NHPs). However, studies on the prevalence of Babesia spp. in free-ranging NHPs are lacking. This investigation aimed at determining the prevalence of B. microti in wild-caught Kenyan NHPs. In total, 125 animals were studied, including 65 olive baboons (Papio cynocephalus anubis) and 60 African green monkeys ([AGMs] Chlorocebus aethiops). Nested polymerase chain reaction targeting Babesia β-tubulin genes was used to diagnose infection prevalence. Results indicated a prevalence of 22% (27/125) B. microti infection in free-ranging NHPs in Kenya. There was no statistically significant difference in B. microti infection prevalence between baboons and AGMs or male and female animals. This is the first report of the presence and prevalence of B. microti in free-ranging Kenyan NHPs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya, PO Box 24481-00502 Karen, Nairobi, Kenya. majeneby@primateresearch.org
authors.forename: Jeneby M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Maamun
authors.forename: Mbaruk A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Suleman
authors.forename: Mercy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akinyi
authors.forename: Hastings
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ozwara
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kariuki
authors.forename: Hans-Erik
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Carlsson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001096:Arachnid Vectors; D041001:Babesia microti / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops / Q000469:parasitology*; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008992:Monkey Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D048530:Papio anubis / Q000469:parasitology*; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D015995:Prevalence; D048494:Rhipicephalus; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan