Ubiquitous Hepatocystis infections, but no evidence of Plasmodium falciparum-like malaria parasites in wild greater spot-nosed monkeys (Cercopithecus nictitans)

Int J Parasitol. 2012 Jul;42(8):709-13. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2012.05.004. Epub 2012 Jun 9.

Abstract

Western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla) have been identified as the natural reservoir of the parasites that were the immediate precursor of Plasmodium falciparum infecting humans. Recently, a P. falciparum-like sequence was reported in a sample from a captive greater spot-nosed monkey (Cercopithecus nictitans), and was taken to indicate that this species may also be a natural reservoir for P. falciparum-related parasites. To test this hypothesis we screened blood samples from 292 wild C. nictitans monkeys that had been hunted for bushmeat in Cameroon. We detected Hepatocystis spp. in 49% of the samples, as well as one sequence from a clade of Plasmodium spp. previously found in birds, lizards and bats. However, none of the 292 wild C. nictitans harbored P. falciparum-like parasites.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apicomplexa / classification
  • Apicomplexa / genetics
  • Apicomplexa / isolation & purification*
  • Cercopithecus / classification
  • Cercopithecus / parasitology*
  • Disease Reservoirs / classification
  • Disease Reservoirs / parasitology*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Plasmodium falciparum / classification
  • Plasmodium falciparum / genetics
  • Plasmodium falciparum / isolation & purification*