RESUMEN
Intestinal protozoa, which can be asymptomatic or cause diarrhea, dysentery and even death, are among the main agents that affect nonhuman primates (NHPs) kept under human care. Nevertheless, information on the molecular and morphometric profiles of parabasilids in the Neotropics is still scarce. In this context, the objective of this study was to isolate the Parabasalia protozoa detected in the feces of NHPs and their keepers in Pavlova and TYSGM9 media and to characterize the isolates by molecular biology and morphometry. Fecal samples from NHPs from five Brazilian institutions were analyzed. Direct examination was performed immediately after obtaining the samples. A total of 511 fecal samples from NHPs were collected, and 10.6% contained parabasilids. Regarding the handlers, of the 74 samples analyzed, three were positive. In vitro-generated parabasilid isolates were successfully obtained from all positive samples, as identified via microscopy. Isolates of the parasite were obtained both from New World NHPs, including the genera Leontopithecus, Saguinus, Leontocebus, Aotus, Saimiri, Sapajus, and Alouatta, and from the Old World primate Pan troglodytes. Forty-nine NHP isolates were molecularly identified: Pentatrichomonas hominis (16), Trichomitus batrachorum (14), Tetratrichomonas brumpti (13) and Hypotrichomonas hampli (6). The human isolates were identified as Tetratrichomonas sp. (2) and T. batrachorum (1). Visualization and morphometric analysis revealed trophozoites with piriform or rounded shapes that presented variable measurements. The isolates previously characterized as P. hominis had up to five free flagella, while T. batrachorum and Tetratrichomonas sp. had up to four free flagella, and H. hampli had a maximum of three free flagella. These morphometric characteristics corroborated the molecular identification. In general, a variety of parabasilids were observed to infect NHPs, and T. batrachorum was isolated from biological samples from both NHPs and their keepers, a finding that reinforces the susceptibility of these hosts to infections by parabasilids in Brazil.
RESUMEN
AIM: Determining gastrointestinal parasites' frequency in non-human primates (NHPs) and handlers in different Brazilian institutions, and associate it with management information. METHODS: Different institutions in São Paulo (A), Brasília (B), Rio de Janeiro (C), Pará (D) and Santa Catarina (E) were included in the study. Fecal samples were processed by using coproparasitological techniques; information about NHP handling and professionals' routine were collected through the use of questionnaires. RESULTS: In total, 33.1% of 511 NHP samples were positive for parasites; the Entamoebidae Group and Strongyloides sp.-compatible eggs were the most detected protozoa and helminths, respectively. The Entamoebidae Group was mainly diagnosed in Alouatta from Institutions E and D, and was also the only parasite detected in handlers. Strongyloides-compatible eggs were mostly evident in fecal samples collected from Cebidae from Institutions B and D. Some risk factors associated with parasite infection were a high number of animals in the same enclosure and their use for research protocol purposes, whereas quarantine, a post-infection vacant period in enclosures and antiparasitic supply were categorized as protective factors against these agents' infection. CONCLUSIONS: Parasites showing different transmission routes but concomitantly circulating in NHP institutions located in different Brazilian regions were identified in the current study, with an emphasis on those presenting zoonotic potential.