Preliminary assessment of gastrointestinal parasites of the sun-tailed monkey (Allochrocebus solatus) in a semi-free-ranging colony.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in the sun-tailed monkey (Allochrocebus solatus) at the CIRMF primatology center is unknown. We, therefore, assessed the presence and richness (number of different parasite taxa) of gastrointestinal parasites in a semi-free-ranging colony of A. solatus. METHODS: A total of 46 fecal samples were screened using a modified McMaster technique for fecal egg counts. RESULTS: In the 46 samples collected, seven taxa of gastrointestinal parasites, including protozoa and nematodes were identified. The most prevalent parasite was strongyles parasites (98%), followed by Trichuris spp. (72%), Strongyloides spp. (67%) and Entamoeba coli (65%). Balantioides coli (33%), Endolimax nana (25%), and Spirurid eggs (26%) were only found in a minority of the animals. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes new host records of gastrointestinal parasites in semi-free-ranging A. solatus and highlights the need to investigate the health of this species and implement proper precautions in the management of this colony.

Epidemiology of malaria in Gabon: A systematic review and meta-analysis from 1980 to 2023.

The objective of this were conducted to elucidate spatiotemporal variations in malaria epidemiology in Gabon since 1980. For that, five databases, were used to collect and identify all studies published between 1980 and 2023 on malaria prevalence, antimalarial drug resistance, markers of antimalarial drug resistance and insecticide resistance marker. The findings suggest that Gabon continues to face malaria as an urgent public health problem, with persistently high prevalence rates. Markers of resistance to CQ persist despite its withdrawal, and markers of resistance to SP have emerged with a high frequency, reaching 100 %, while ACTs remain effective. Also, recent studies have identified markers of resistance to the insecticides Kdr-w and Kdr-e at frequencies ranging from 25 % to 100 %. Ace1R mutation was reported with a frequency of 0.4 %. In conclusion, the efficacy of ACTs remains above the threshold recommended by the WHO. Organo-phosphates and carbamates could provide an alternative for vector control.

Diversity of parasites in two captive chimpanzee populations in southern Gabon.

Captive chimpanzees living in confined environments like sanctuaries or primatology centers are frequently affected by gastrointestinal parasites. Some of these are likely to be transmitted to humans and may seriously affect public health. However little information is currently available on the gastrointestinal parasites of primates living in such environments. Here, we characterize the diversity and prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in two populations of captive chimpanzees living in south-eastern Gabon. Our study reveals that at least nine parasite species infect the chimpanzees with high prevalence, including several helminths (Ascaris spp., Enterobius spp., Strongyloides spp., Trichuris spp., Hymenolepis spp., Mammomonogamus spp), three protozoa (Balantioides spp., Entamoeba spp. and Troglodytella spp) and several unidentified parasites. All the parasite taxa we identified had previously been identified in other primates, including humans. Age, sex and site type may influence infection rates and/or parasite diversity found in a particular host.

Diversity of gastrointestinal parasites in sympatric mammals in Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, Gabon.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Gastrointestinal parasites identified in the wild can negatively affect host fitness, lower performance, and growth. On the other side, sympatric mammals that share habitat and resources may also cross-transmit parasites, which are often zoonotic and can contribute to morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to characterize the diversity of gastrointestinal parasites circulating in mammalian hosts in Moukalaba-Doudou National Park. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We screened a total of 25 fecal samples collected from nine wild mammalian species, namely, western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), putty-nosed monkey (Cercopithecus nictitans), African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis), African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), blue duiker (Philantomba monticola), bay duiker (Cephalophus dorsalis), and red river hog (Potamochoerus porcus) as well as people working as trackers (Homo sapiens) using direct microscopic observations following a sedimentation technique to concentrate the fecal material. RESULTS: Of the total 25 fecal samples screened, 15 (60%) were positive for parasitic gastrointestinal infection. Based on the morphology of parasite eggs and cysts, we identified a rich diversity of nematodes, protozoans, trematodes, and cestodes, including unidentified strongyles (73%), Oesophagostomum spp. (53%), Ancylostoma spp. (27%), Trichuris spp. (13%), Ascaris spp. (13%), Mammomonogamus spp. (13%), Strongyloides spp. (47%), Balantidium coli (20%), Entamoeba coli (20%), Endolimax nana (6%), Fasciola hepatica (6%), Paramphistomum spp. (13%), and Taenia spp. (6%). CONCLUSION: All parasites were found at least once in one of the hosts, and most were potentially zoonotic and responsible for several diseases of public health concern. Because of the small sample size, our findings should not be considered conclusive. Nevertheless, they highlight the diversity of gastrointestinal parasites in this area.

Diversity and prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in two wild Galago species in Gabon.

In this study, we characterize the diversity and estimated infection levels of gastrointestinal parasites circulating in two galago species, Galago demidoff and G. thomasi in two sites situated in the Southeastern forests of Gabon. Our study reveals that eleven parasites including nine helminthes (Ascaris spp., Ankylostoma spp., Dicrocoelium spp., Gongylonema spp., Oesophagostomum spp., Lemuricola spp., Strongyloides spp. Trichostrongylus spp. and Trichuris spp.) and two protozoans (Balantidium spp. and Entamoeba spp.) may infect Galago spp. with high infection rates. The results show that: a very similar parasite spectrum is found in both host species; all the taxa identified were previously observed in other Primate species and/or Man. They also show that age, gender and forest type may influence infection rates and/or parasite diversity found in a particular host and/or geographic area.