INVESTIGADORES
KOWALEWSKI Miguel Martin
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Patterns of Giardia spp. infection in howler monkeys living at the extremes of their distribution
Autor/es:
MARTINEZ-MOTA, RODOLFO; KOWALEWSKI, M MARTIN; GILLESPIE, THOMAS R
Lugar:
Chicago
Reunión:
Congreso; Seven Midwest Primate Interest Group (MPIG) Meeting; 2010
Institución organizadora:
MIDWEST PRIMATE INTEREST GROUP
Resumen:
Giardiasis constitutes a neglected disease caused by the zoonotic protozoan Giardia sp. that is often associated with poverty and sanitary deficiencies in developing countries where infecting humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. We explored patterns of Giardia infections in Alouatta caraya (black and gold howler monkeys) in Argentina and A. pigra (Mexican black howlers) in Mexico, at the two extremes of the geographic distribution of Alouatta. We collected 30 fecal samples from different groups of both howler species at two sites: 1) Isla Brasilera, Chaco Province, Argentina (27°20’S-58°40’W) which is a 290 ha island characterized by a continuous flooded forest interrupted by small lagoons and streams; and 2) "El Tormento", State of Campeche, Mexico (18°16’N, 90°43’W), a 1400-ha protected area of tropical semi-deciduous forest located near the town of Escárcega. Both areas are characterized by minimal human presence, absence of cattle ranching and agriculture practices, and howler groups showing extensive home range overlap. We examined all samples (N=60) for Giardia sp. infections via immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) detection. Interestingly, we found a 57% prevalence of Giardia infection in black and gold howlers and 0% in Mexican black howlers. We suggest that 1) this pathogen is not a natural component of the howler parasite communities at the Mexican site, and/or 2) even a minimal contact with humans and associated domestic animals, combined with the presence of water bodies from where howlers occasionally drink, produces rapid increases in the rate of Giardia infections. We encourage future research on the epidemiology and cross-species transmission ecology of Giardia and other infectious agents, not only in humans and livestock, but also in wild animals that sharing their environments, to understand their role in the cycle of this disease. Giardia sp. that is often associated with poverty and sanitary deficiencies in developing countries where infecting humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. We explored patterns of Giardia infections in Alouatta caraya (black and gold howler monkeys) in Argentina and A. pigra (Mexican black howlers) in Mexico, at the two extremes of the geographic distribution of Alouatta. We collected 30 fecal samples from different groups of both howler species at two sites: 1) Isla Brasilera, Chaco Province, Argentina (27°20’S-58°40’W) which is a 290 ha island characterized by a continuous flooded forest interrupted by small lagoons and streams; and 2) "El Tormento", State of Campeche, Mexico (18°16’N, 90°43’W), a 1400-ha protected area of tropical semi-deciduous forest located near the town of Escárcega. Both areas are characterized by minimal human presence, absence of cattle ranching and agriculture practices, and howler groups showing extensive home range overlap. We examined all samples (N=60) for Giardia sp. infections via immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) detection. Interestingly, we found a 57% prevalence of Giardia infection in black and gold howlers and 0% in Mexican black howlers. We suggest that 1) this pathogen is not a natural component of the howler parasite communities at the Mexican site, and/or 2) even a minimal contact with humans and associated domestic animals, combined with the presence of water bodies from where howlers occasionally drink, produces rapid increases in the rate of Giardia infections. We encourage future research on the epidemiology and cross-species transmission ecology of Giardia and other infectious agents, not only in humans and livestock, but also in wild animals that sharing their environments, to understand their role in the cycle of this disease.