Age-related effects on malaria parasite infection in wild chimpanzees

Biol Lett. 2013 May 29;9(4):20121160. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2012.1160. Print 2013 Aug 23.

Abstract

Wild great apes are widely infected with a number of malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.). Yet, nothing is known about the biology of these infections in the wild. Using faecal samples collected from wild chimpanzees, we investigated the effect of age on Plasmodium spp. detection rates. The data show a strong association between age and malaria parasite positivity, with significantly lower detection rates in adults. This suggests that, as in humans, individuals reaching adulthood have mounted an effective protective immunity against malaria parasites.

Keywords: Pan troglodytes verus; Plasmodium; malaria parasites; wild great apes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Distribution
  • Animals
  • Ape Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Ape Diseases / parasitology
  • Cote d'Ivoire
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Malaria / epidemiology
  • Malaria / parasitology
  • Malaria / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Pan troglodytes*
  • Plasmodium / isolation & purification*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Prevalence
  • Species Specificity

Associated data

  • GENBANK/HF952925
  • GENBANK/HF952926
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