Ecology of malaria infections in western lowland gorillas inhabiting Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas, Central African Republic.
African great apes are susceptible to infections with several species of Plasmodium, including the predecessor of Plasmodium falciparum. Little is known about the ecology of these pathogens in gorillas. A total of 131 gorilla fecal samples were collected from Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas to study the diversity and prevalence of Plasmodium species. The effects of sex and age as factors influencing levels of infection with Plasmodium in habituated gorilla groups were assessed. Ninety-five human blood samples from the same locality were also analysed to test for cross-transmission between humans and gorillas. According to a cytB PCR assay 32% of gorilla's fecal samples and 43·1% human individuals were infected with Plasmodium spp. All Laverania species, Plasmodium vivax, and for the first time Plasmodium ovale were identified from gorilla samples. Plasmodium praefalciparum was present only from habituated individuals and P. falciparum was detected from human samples. Although few P. vivax and P. ovale sequences were obtained from gorillas, the evidence for cross-species transmission between humans and gorillas requires more in depth analysis. No association was found between malaria infection and sex, however, younger individuals aged ≤6 years were more susceptible. Switching between two different Plasmodium spp. was observed in three individuals. Prolonged monitoring of Plasmodium infection during various seasons and recording behavioural data is necessary to draw a precise picture about the infection dynamics.
Department of Pathology and Parasitology,University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences,612 42 Brno,Czech Republic.
Mwanahamisi I
MI
Mapua
Department of Pathology and Parasitology,University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences,612 42 Brno,Czech Republic.
Moneeb A
MA
Qablan
Department of Pathology and Parasitology,University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences,612 42 Brno,Czech Republic.
Kateřina
K
Pomajbíková
Department of Pathology and Parasitology,University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences,612 42 Brno,Czech Republic.
Klára J
KJ
Petrželková
Health Institute in Ústí nad Labem,Sokolovska 60,Prague 8 180 00,Czech Republic.
Zuzana
Z
Hůzová
Institute of Parasitology,Biology Centre,Czech of the Academy of Sciences,370 05 České Budějovice,Czech Republic.
Jana
J
Rádrová
Institute of Parasitology,Biology Centre,Czech of the Academy of Sciences,370 05 České Budějovice,Czech Republic.
Jan
J
Votýpka
WWF,Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas,BP 1053 Bangui,Central African Republic.
Angelique
A
Todd
Institute of Parasitology,Biology Centre,Czech of the Academy of Sciences,370 05 České Budějovice,Czech Republic.
Milan
M
Jirků
Project Group Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microbiology,Robert Koch-Institut,Nordufer 20,13353 Berlin,Germany.
Fabian H
FH
Leendertz
Institute of Parasitology,Biology Centre,Czech of the Academy of Sciences,370 05 České Budějovice,Czech Republic.
Julius
J
Lukeš
Department of Pathology and Parasitology,University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences,612 42 Brno,Czech Republic.
Cecile
C
Neel
Department of Pathology and Parasitology,University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences,612 42 Brno,Czech Republic.
David
D
Modrý
D000818:Animals; D018420:Ape Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D002488:Central African Republic / Q000453:epidemiology; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D045303:Cytochromes b / Q000235:genetics; D017753:Ecosystem; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006071:Gorilla gorilla / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010802:Phylogeny; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D041122:Plasmodium ovale / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010966:Plasmodium vivax / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D045303:Cytochromes b
 Plasmodium spp; African great apes; lowland gorilla; malaria