A survey of hemoparasite infections in free-ranging mammals and reptiles in French Guiana

J Parasitol. 2000 Oct;86(5):1035-40. doi: 10.1645/0022-3395(2000)086[1035:ASOHII]2.0.CO;2.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apicomplexa / classification
  • Apicomplexa / isolation & purification
  • Blood Specimen Collection / methods
  • Filarioidea / classification
  • Filarioidea / isolation & purification
  • French Guiana / epidemiology
  • Mammals / classification
  • Mammals / parasitology*
  • Parasitemia / epidemiology
  • Parasitemia / parasitology
  • Parasitemia / veterinary
  • Parasitic Diseases, Animal / epidemiology*
  • Parasitic Diseases, Animal / parasitology*
  • Reptiles / classification
  • Reptiles / parasitology*
  • Trypanosomatina / classification
  • Trypanosomatina / isolation & purification