Survey of Plasmodium in the golden-headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) living in urban Atlantic forest in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Author(s)

Aitken, Elizabeth Helen ^{[1, 2]} ; Bueno, Marina Galvao ^{[3, 4, 5]} ; Ortolan, Luana dos Santos ^[1] ; Alvarez, Jose M. ^[1] ; Pissinatti, Alcides ^[6] ; Martins Kierulff, Maria Ceclia ^{[3, 7]} ; Catao-Dias, Jose Luiz ^[8] ; Epiphanio, Sabrina ^[9]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencias Biomed, Dept Imunol, BR-05508 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Melbourne, Peter Doherty Inst, Dept Med, Melbourne, Vic - Australia

^[3] Inst Pri Matas Conservacao Biodiversidade Pri Mat, Rio De Janeiro - Brazil

^[4] Inst Desenvolvimento Sustentavel Mamiraua IDSM MC, Tefe, Amazonas - Brazil

^[5] Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Programa Inst Biodiversidade & Saude, Rio De Janeiro - Brazil

^[6] Ctr Primatologia CPRJ INEA, Rio De Janeiro - Brazil

^[7] Univ Fed Espirito Santo, Ctr Univ Norte Espirito Santo, Programa Posgrad Biodiversidade Trop, Sao Mateus - Brazil

^[8] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, Dept Patol, Lab Patol Comparada Anim Selvagens LAPCOM, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[9] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Ciencias Farmaceut, Dept Anal Clin & Toxicol, Ave Prof Lineu Prestes 580, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Malaria Journal; v. 15, FEB 17 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

Background: Communicating the presence of potential zoonotic pathogens such as Plasmodium spp. in wild animals is important for developing both animal and human health policies. Methods: The translocation of an exotic and invasive population of Leontopithecus chrysomelas (golden-headed lion tamarins) required the screening of these animals for specific pathogens. This studies objective was to investigate Plasmodium spp. infection in the L. chrysomelas, both to know its prevalence in these animals in the local area and to minimize the risk of pathogens being translocated to the destination site. To investigate Plasmodium spp. infection, blood samples from 268 animals were assessed for the presence of Plasmodium spp. by genus-specific PCR and stained thick and thin blood smears were examined by light microscopy. Data of human malaria infection in the studied region was also assembled from SINAN (Diseases Information System Notification-Ministry of Health of Brazil). Results: Results from the PCR and microscopy were all negative and suggested that no L. chrysomelas was infected with Plasmodium spp. Analysis of SINAN data showed that malaria transmission is present among the human population in the studied region. Conclusions: This study is the first to provide information on Plasmodium spp. infection in L. chrysomelas. Plasmodium spp. infection of this species is rare or absent though malaria parasites circulate in the region. In addition, there is minimal risk of translocating Plasmodium spp. infected animals to the destination site. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/53256-7 - Distress syndrome in a murine model associated to the severe malaria: a study of parasite-host interaction
• Grantee: Sabrina Epiphanio
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/19525-0 - Malaria associated acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome through in vitro and in vivo models
• Grantee: Elizabeth Helen Aitken
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral