RESUMO
In 2022, long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), a once ubiquitous primate species, was elevated to Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. In 2023, recognizing that the long-tailed macaque is threatened by multiple factors: (1) declining native habitats across Southeast Asia; (2) overutilization for scientific, commercial, and recreational purposes; (3) inadequate regulatory mechanisms; and (4) culling due to human-macaque conflicts, a petition for rulemaking was submitted to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to add the species to the US Endangered Species Act, the nation's most effective law to protect at risk species. The long-tailed macaque remains unprotected across much of its geographical range despite the documented continual decline of the species and related sub-species and the recent IUCN reassessment. This commentary presents a review of the factors that have contributed to the dramatic decline of this keystone species and makes a case for raising the level of protection they receive.
Assuntos
Animais Selvagens , Espécies em Perigo de Extinção , Animais , Humanos , Macaca fascicularis , Primatas , GeografiaRESUMO
Diagnostic tests for tuberculosis (TB) usually require collection of sputum, a viscous material derived from human airways. Sputum can be difficult and hazardous to collect and challenging to process in the laboratory. Oral swabs have been proposed as alternative sample types that are noninvasive and easy to collect. This study evaluated the biological feasibility of oral swab analysis (OSA) for the diagnosis of TB. Swabs were tested from South African adult subjects, including sputum GeneXpert MTB/RIF (GeneXpert)-confirmed TB patients (n = 138), sputum GeneXpert-negative but culture-positive TB patients (n = 10), ill non-TB patients (n = 37), and QuantiFERON-negative controls (n = 34). Swabs were analyzed by using a manual, nonnested quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting IS6110 Two swab brands and three sites within the oral cavity were compared. Tongue swabbing yielded significantly stronger signals than cheek or gum swabbing. A flocked swab performed better than a more expensive paper swab. In a two-phase study, tongue swabs (two per subject) exhibited a combined sensitivity of 92.8% relative to sputum GeneXpert. Relative to all laboratory-diagnosed TB, the diagnostic yields of sputum GeneXpert (1 sample per subject) and OSA (2 samples per subject) were identical at 49/59 (83.1%) each. The specificity of the OSA was 91.5%. An analysis of "air swabs" suggested that most false-positive results were due to contamination of manual PCRs. With the development of appropriate automated methods, oral swabs could facilitate TB diagnosis in clinical settings and patient populations that are limited by the physical or logistical challenges of sputum collection.
Assuntos
Testes Diagnósticos de Rotina/métodos , Tuberculose Pulmonar/diagnóstico , Tuberculose Pulmonar/microbiologia , Adulto , Humanos , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/genética , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , EscarroRESUMO
RATIONALE: Prolonged exposure to the stress hormone cortisol can precipitate a catabolic state in animals resulting in a negative nitrogen balance and increased excreted nitrogen, possibly affecting stable nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios in animal tissues. Here we test the hypothesis that stress, as measured by hair cortisol, is a significant contributor to variation in δ15 N and δ13 C values in hair. The results of the present study have important implications for the use of stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios measured in animal and human tissues to make inferences regarding feeding ecology and diet. METHODS: Samples containing roughly 10-20 hairs (approx. 4-6 cm long) were collected from 49 free ranging macaque monkeys (Macaca sylvanus) in Gibraltar. Hair samples were analyzed for stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes by continuous-flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometry. Cortisol extracted from matched hair samples was measured using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Cortisol and stable isotope ratios were compared statistically using nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, as well as Spearman correlation. RESULTS: Correlation analysis revealed that although hair δ15 N and δ13 C values were significantly correlated with each other, neither was correlated with cortisol concentrations. Cortisol concentrations were not correlated with age-adjusted body mass index. Age category was correlated with δ13 C values but not with δ15 N values. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggest that the cumulative stress experienced by these macaques under typical social and environmental conditions is not a significant contributor to variation in δ15 N and δ13 C values, nor does it have a significant effect on relative body mass.
Assuntos
Isótopos de Carbono/análise , Cabelo/química , Hidrocortisona/análise , Macaca/fisiologia , Isótopos de Nitrogênio/análise , Fatores Etários , Animais , Índice de Massa Corporal , Dieta/veterinária , Comportamento Alimentar , Cromatografia Gasosa-Espectrometria de Massas , GibraltarRESUMO
Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) clade 2.3.4.4 virus emerged in 2016 and spread to Russia, Europe, and Africa. Our analysis of viruses from domestic ducks at Tanguar haor, Bangladesh, showed genetic similarities with other viruses from wild birds in central Asia, suggesting their potential role in the genesis of A(H5N8).
Assuntos
Aves/virologia , Doenças Transmissíveis Emergentes/veterinária , Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H5N8 , Influenza Aviária/epidemiologia , Influenza Aviária/virologia , África/epidemiologia , Migração Animal , Animais , Animais Selvagens/virologia , Ásia/epidemiologia , Bangladesh/epidemiologia , Doenças Transmissíveis Emergentes/epidemiologia , Doenças Transmissíveis Emergentes/virologia , Surtos de Doenças/veterinária , Patos , Europa (Continente)/epidemiologia , Filogenia , Doenças das Aves Domésticas/epidemiologia , Doenças das Aves Domésticas/virologia , Vírus ReordenadosRESUMO
Survey results showed treponemal infection among pet macaques in Southeast Asia, a region with a high prevalence of human yaws. This finding, along with studies showing treponemal infection in nonhuman primates in Africa, should encourage a One Health approach to yaws eradication and surveillance activities, possibly including monitoring of nonhuman primates in yaws-endemic regions.
Assuntos
Doenças dos Macacos/epidemiologia , Doenças dos Macacos/microbiologia , Infecções por Treponema/veterinária , Animais , Inquéritos Epidemiológicos , História do Século XX , História do Século XXI , Indonésia/epidemiologia , Macaca , Doenças dos Macacos/históriaRESUMO
Astroviruses (AstVs) are positive sense, single-stranded RNA viruses transmitted to a wide range of hosts via the fecal-oral route. The number of AstV-infected animal hosts has rapidly expanded in recent years with many more likely to be discovered because of the advances in viral surveillance and next generation sequencing. Yet no study to date has identified human AstV genotypes in animals, although diverse AstV genotypes similar to animal-origin viruses have been found in children with diarrhea and in one instance of encephalitis. Here we provide important new evidence that non-human primates (NHP) can harbor a wide variety of mammalian and avian AstV genotypes, including those only associated with human infection. Serological analyses confirmed that >25% of the NHP tested had antibodies to human AstVs. Further, we identified a recombinant AstV with parental relationships to known human AstVs. Phylogenetic analysis suggests AstVs in NHP are on average evolutionarily much closer to AstVs from other animals than are AstVs from bats, a frequently proposed reservoir. Our studies not only demonstrate that human astroviruses can be detected in NHP but also suggest that NHP are unique in their ability to support diverse AstV genotypes, further challenging the paradigm that astrovirus infection is species-specific.
Assuntos
Infecções por Astroviridae/virologia , Evolução Biológica , Fezes/virologia , Macaca/virologia , Animais , Infecções por Astroviridae/diagnóstico , Diarreia/genética , Genótipo , Humanos , RNA Viral/genética , Especificidade da EspécieRESUMO
The global increase in urbanization is leading to heavier interface between humans and wildlife. Within these anthropogenic landscapes, little is known about ranging patterns, particularly with regard to urban primates. Here we present the results of the first long-term deployment of multiple GPS collars on two species of macaques to investigate the impacts of urbanization on urban primate ranging patterns in Singapore and Gibraltar. Collars data acquisition were excellent with respect to the amount, quality, and accuracy of data collected; however, remote connectivity and drop-off functionality was poor across all deployments. Analyses highlighted high variability in ranging patterns between individuals within each species that aligned with access to human food resources and patterns of tourism. Individuals from troops with less access to human food had much larger home, core, and day ranges relative to those with regular provisioning or raiding opportunities. Almost no temporal range overlap was observed between any focal individuals at either site and spatial overlap was low for all but two troops at each site. We found no relationship between anthropogenic schedules and changes in ranging patterns. Significant seasonal variation existed for daily path length and day range size for both the Singapore long-tailed and the Gibraltar Barbary macaques, with long-tailed macaques increasing their range during the equatorial monsoon season and Barbary macaques increasing their range during drier, summer months. This study highlights how the behavioral plasticity found within the genus Macaca is reflected in ranging pattern variability within urban environments.
Assuntos
Distribuição Animal , Etologia , Sistemas de Informação Geográfica , Macaca/fisiologia , Animais , Cidades , Etologia/instrumentação , Feminino , Gibraltar , Comportamento de Retorno ao Território Vital , Macaca fascicularis/fisiologia , Masculino , Estações do Ano , SingapuraRESUMO
Simian foamy viruses (SVF) are ubiquitous in nonhuman primates (NHP). SFV can be zoonotically transmitted to humans who either work with or live commensally with NHP. We analyzed the blood of 45 Bangladeshi performing monkey owners (an ethnic group called the Bedey) for SFV infection. Surprisingly, a PCR assay failed to detect SFV infection in any of these participants. This is in contrast to our previously reported infection rate of about 5% among Bangladeshi villagers.
Assuntos
Infecções por Retroviridae/epidemiologia , Vírus Espumoso dos Símios/isolamento & purificação , Migrantes , Zoonoses/epidemiologia , Animais , Bangladesh/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Macaca , Masculino , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , RNA Viral/sangue , Vírus Espumoso dos Símios/genéticaRESUMO
Avian influenza A(H9N2) is an agricultural and public health threat. We characterized an H9N2 virus from a pet market in Bangladesh and demonstrated replication in samples from pet birds, swine tissues, human airway and ocular cells, and ferrets. Results implicated pet birds in the potential dissemination and zoonotic transmission of this virus.
Assuntos
Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H9N2/patogenicidade , Influenza Aviária/patologia , Influenza Humana/transmissão , Animais , Animais Exóticos/genética , Animais Exóticos/virologia , Bangladesh , Galinhas/genética , Galinhas/virologia , Surtos de Doenças , Furões/genética , Furões/virologia , Humanos , Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H9N2/genética , Influenza Aviária/genética , Influenza Aviária/transmissão , Influenza Humana/patologia , Filogenia , Pardais/genética , Pardais/virologia , Suínos/genética , Suínos/virologiaRESUMO
Foamy viruses (FV) are complex retroviruses that naturally infect all nonhuman primates (NHP) studied to date. Zoonotic transmission of Old World NHP simian foamy viruses (SFV) has been documented, leading to nonpathogenic persistent infections. To date, there have been no reports concerning zoonotic transmission of New World monkey (NWM) SFV to humans and resulting infection. In this study, we developed a Western blot assay to detect antibodies to NWM SFV, a nested PCR assay to detect NWM SFV DNA, and a ß-galactosidase-containing indicator cell line to assay replication of NWM SFV. Using these tools, we analyzed the plasma and blood of 116 primatologists, of whom 69 had reported exposures to NWM. While 8 of the primatologists tested were seropositive for SFV from a NWM, the spider monkey, none had detectable levels of viral DNA in their blood. We found that SFV isolated from three different species of NWM replicated in some, but not all, human cell lines. From our data, we conclude that while humans exposed to NWM SFV produce antibodies, there is no evidence for long-term viral persistence.
Assuntos
Doenças dos Macacos/virologia , Infecções por Retroviridae/veterinária , Infecções por Retroviridae/virologia , Vírus Espumoso dos Símios/fisiologia , Animais , Sequência de Bases , Linhagem Celular , Humanos , Macaca mulatta , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Platirrinos , Vírus Espumoso dos Símios/genética , Vírus Espumoso dos Símios/isolamento & purificação , Zoonoses/transmissão , Zoonoses/virologiaRESUMO
Simian Foamy Virus (SFV) can be transmitted from non-human primates (NHP) to humans. However, there are no documented cases of human to human transmission, and significant differences exist between infection in NHP and human hosts. The mechanism for these between-host differences is not completely understood. In this paper we develop a new Bayesian approach to the detection of APOBEC3-mediated hypermutation, and use it to compare SFV sequences from human and NHP hosts living in close proximity in Bangladesh. We find that human APOBEC3G can induce genetic changes that may prevent SFV replication in infected humans in vivo.
Assuntos
Citosina Desaminase/genética , Mutação , Infecções por Retroviridae/genética , Infecções por Retroviridae/transmissão , Vírus Espumoso dos Símios/genética , Zoonoses/genética , Zoonoses/transmissão , Desaminases APOBEC , Desaminase APOBEC-3G , Animais , Bangladesh , Teorema de Bayes , Códon de Terminação , Biologia Computacional , Citidina Desaminase/genética , Interações Hospedeiro-Patógeno/genética , Humanos , Macaca/genética , Macaca/virologia , Modelos Genéticos , RNA Viral/genética , Vírus Espumoso dos Símios/patogenicidade , Vírus Espumoso dos Símios/fisiologia , Especificidade da Espécie , Replicação ViralRESUMO
Simian foamy viruses (SFV) are complex retroviruses that are ubiquitous in nonhuman primates (NHP) and are zoonotically transmitted to humans, presumably through NHP saliva, by licking, biting, and other behaviors. We have studied SFV in free-ranging rhesus macaques in Bangladesh. It has been previously shown that SFV in immunocompetent animals replicates to detectable levels only in superficial epithelial cells of the oral mucosa, although latent proviruses are found in most, if not all, tissues. In this study, we compare DNA sequences from latent SFV proviruses found in blood cells of 30 Bangladesh rhesus macaques to RNA sequences of transcriptionally active SFV from buccal swabs obtained from the same animals. Viral strains, defined by differences in SFV gag sequences, from buccal mucosal specimens overlapped with those from blood samples in 90% of animals. Thus, latent proviruses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are, to a great extent, representative of viruses likely to be transmitted to other hosts. The level of SFV RNA in buccal swabs varied greatly between macaques, with increasing amounts of viral RNA in older animals. Evidence of APOBEC3-induced mutations was found in gag sequences derived from the blood and oral mucosa.
Assuntos
Macaca mulatta/virologia , Doenças dos Primatas/virologia , Provírus/genética , Infecções por Retroviridae/veterinária , Vírus Espumoso dos Símios/genética , Transcrição Gênica , Latência Viral , Animais , Bangladesh , Bochecha/virologia , Feminino , Produtos do Gene gag/genética , Leucócitos Mononucleares/virologia , Masculino , Provírus/isolamento & purificação , Provírus/fisiologia , RNA Viral/genética , Infecções por Retroviridae/virologia , Vírus Espumoso dos Símios/isolamento & purificação , Vírus Espumoso dos Símios/fisiologia , Replicação ViralRESUMO
The conditions in densely populated Bangladesh favor picornavirus transmission, resulting in a high rate of infection in the human population. Data suggest that nonhuman primates (NHP) may play a role in the maintenance and transmission of diverse picornaviruses in Bangladesh. At the Dhaka Zoo, multiple NHP species are caged in close proximity. Their proximity to other species and to humans, both zoo workers and visitors, provides the potential for cross-species transmission. To investigate possible interspecies and intraspecies transmission of picornaviruses among NHP, we collected fecal specimens from nine NHP taxa at the Dhaka Zoo at three time points, August 2007, January 2008, and June 2008. Specimens were screened using real-time PCR for the genera Enterovirus, Parechovirus, and Sapelovirus, and positive samples were typed by VP1 sequencing. Fifty-two picornaviruses comprising 10 distinct serotypes were detected in 83 fecal samples. Four of these serotypes, simian virus 19 (SV19), baboon enterovirus (BaEV), enterovirus 112 (EV112), and EV115, have been solely associated with infection in NHP. EV112, EV115, and SV19 accounted for 88% of all picornaviruses detected. Over 80% of samples from cages housing rhesus macaques, olive baboons, or hamadryas baboons were positive for a picornavirus, while no picornaviruses were detected in samples from capped langurs or vervet monkeys. In contrast to our findings among synanthropic NHP in Bangladesh where 100% of the picornaviruses detected were of human serotypes, in the zoo population, only 15% of picornaviruses detected in NHP were of human origin. Specific serotypes tended to persist over time, suggesting either persistent infection of individuals or cycles of reinfection.
Assuntos
Infecções por Picornaviridae/veterinária , Picornaviridae/genética , Picornaviridae/isolamento & purificação , Doenças dos Primatas/epidemiologia , Doenças dos Primatas/virologia , RNA Viral/genética , Animais , Animais de Zoológico , Bangladesh , Fezes/virologia , Haplorrinos , Epidemiologia Molecular , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Infecções por Picornaviridae/epidemiologia , Infecções por Picornaviridae/virologia , Análise de Sequência de DNARESUMO
The term synanthropic describes organisms that thrive in human-altered habitats. Where synanthropic nonhuman primates (NHP) share an ecological niche with humans, cross-species transmission of infectious agents can occur. In Bangladesh, synanthropic NHP are found in villages, densely populated cities, religious sites, and protected forest areas. NHP are also kept as performing monkeys and pets. To investigate possible transmission of enteric picornaviruses between humans and NHP, we collected fecal specimens from five NHP taxa at16 locations in Bangladesh during five field sessions, from January 2007 to June 2008. Specimens were screened using real-time PCR assays for the genera Enterovirus, Parechovirus, and Sapelovirus; PCR-positive samples were typed by VP1 sequencing. To compare picornavirus diversity between humans and NHP, the same assays were applied to 211 human stool specimens collected in Bangladesh in 2007 to 2008 for acute flaccid paralysis surveillance. Picornaviruses were detected in 78 of 677 (11.5%) NHP fecal samples. Twenty distinct human enterovirus (EV) serotypes, two bovine EV types, six human parechovirus serotypes, and one virus related to Ljungan virus were identified. Twenty-five additional enteroviruses and eight parechoviruses could not be typed. Comparison of the picornavirus serotypes detected in NHP specimens with those detected in human specimens revealed considerable overlap. Strikingly, no known simian enteroviruses were detected among these NHP populations. In conclusion, enteroviruses and parechoviruses may be transmitted between humans and synanthropic NHP in Bangladesh, but the directionality of transmission is unknown. These findings may have important implications for the health of both human and NHP populations.
Assuntos
Fezes/virologia , Variação Genética , Infecções por Picornaviridae/veterinária , Infecções por Picornaviridae/virologia , Picornaviridae/isolamento & purificação , Primatas/virologia , Animais , Bangladesh/epidemiologia , Análise por Conglomerados , Humanos , Epidemiologia Molecular , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Filogenia , Picornaviridae/classificação , Picornaviridae/genética , Infecções por Picornaviridae/epidemiologia , Infecções por Picornaviridae/transmissão , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , RNA Viral/genética , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Homologia de Sequência , Sorotipagem , Proteínas Estruturais Virais/genética , Zoonoses/virologiaRESUMO
While studies of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in the eastern (e.g., China) and western (e.g., India) parts of their geographic range have revealed major genetic differences that warrant the recognition of two different subspecies, little is known about genetic characteristics of rhesus macaques in the transitional zone extending from eastern India and Bangladesh through the northern part of Indo-China, the probable original homeland of the species. We analyzed genetic variation of 762 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA from 86 fecal swab samples and 19 blood samples from 25 local populations of rhesus macaque in Bangladesh collected from January 2010 to August 2012. These sequences were compared with those of rhesus macaques from India, China, and Myanmar. Forty-six haplotypes defined by 200 (26%) polymorphic nucleotide sites were detected. Estimates of gene diversity, expected heterozygosity, and nucleotide diversity for the total population were 0.9599 ± 0.0097, 0.0193 ± 0.0582, and 0.0196 ± 0.0098, respectively. A mismatch distribution of paired nucleotide differences yielded a statistically significantly negative value of Tajima's D, reflecting a population that rapidly expanded after the terminal Pleistocene. Most haplotypes throughout regions of Bangladesh, including an isolated region in the southwestern area (Sundarbans), clustered with haplotypes assigned to the minor haplogroup Ind-2 from India reflecting an east to west dispersal of rhesus macaques to India. Haplotypes from the southeast region of Bangladesh formed a cluster with those from Myanmar, and represent the oldest rhesus macaque haplotypes of Bangladesh. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that rhesus macaques first entered Bangladesh from the southeast, probably from Indo-China, then dispersed westward throughout eastern and central India.
Assuntos
DNA Mitocondrial/genética , Variação Genética , Genética Populacional , Macaca mulatta/genética , Animais , Bangladesh , DNA Mitocondrial/análise , DNA Mitocondrial/classificação , Haplótipos , Macaca mulatta/classificação , Filogenia , Especificidade da EspécieRESUMO
Human infection with avian influenza A(H9N2) virus was identified in Bangladesh in 2011. Surveillance for influenza viruses in apparently healthy poultry in live-bird markets in Bangladesh during 2008-2011 showed that subtype H9N2 viruses are isolated year-round, whereas highly pathogenic subtype H5N1 viruses are co-isolated with subtype H9N2 primarily during the winter months. Phylogenetic analysis of the subtype H9N2 viruses showed that they are reassortants possessing 3 gene segments related to subtype H7N3; the remaining gene segments were from the subtype H9N2 G1 clade. We detected no reassortment with subtype H5N1 viruses. Serologic analyses of subtype H9N2 viruses from chickens revealed antigenic conservation, whereas analyses of viruses from quail showed antigenic drift. Molecular analysis showed that multiple mammalian-specific mutations have become fixed in the subtype H9N2 viruses, including changes in the hemagglutinin, matrix, and polymerase proteins. Our results indicate that these viruses could mutate to be transmissible from birds to mammals, including humans.
Assuntos
Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H9N2/genética , Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H9N2/imunologia , Influenza Aviária/epidemiologia , Influenza Humana/epidemiologia , Animais , Antígenos Virais/imunologia , Bangladesh/epidemiologia , Galinhas , Genes Virais , Humanos , Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H9N2/classificação , Influenza Aviária/virologia , Influenza Humana/virologia , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Filogenia , Prevalência , CodornizRESUMO
Measles infections can cause significant morbidity and mortality in human and monkey populations. The endemicity of measles in human populations and viral circulation within populations of free-living monkeys may have important repercussions for potential zoonotic transmission events and for the long-term health of monkey populations. Yet, there has not yet been a rigorous investigation of the dynamics of measles transmission where human and monkey populations coexist. In this study, to determine the difference in seroprevalence of the measles virus across different contexts of human-monkey contact, we analyzed serum samples collected from 56 apparently healthy Macaca mulatta monkeys who occupied diverse contexts, with different degrees of human-monkey contact, in Bangladesh. This is the first report of measles virus seroprevalence in monkeys in Bangladesh. We found a clear association between measles virus seropositivity in monkeys and the context in which they interact with humans. Seroprevalence was the lowest in wild areas (0.0%) and increased in shrines (4.8%), urban areas (5.9%), and was highest among monkeys who are used as performance animals (50.0%). This work suggests that a One Health approach informed by local interspecies transmission dynamics is necessary to develop strategies that both improve measles vaccination coverage, achieve long-term surveillance in monkey populations, and prevent measles spillback to monkeys. This approach aims to inform conservation efforts and protect the long-term health of human and monkey populations.
RESUMO
To determine whether nonhuman primates are infected with influenza viruses in nature, we conducted serologic and swab studies among macaques from several parts of the world. Our detection of influenza virus and antibodies to influenza virus raises questions about the role of nonhuman primates in the ecology of influenza.
Assuntos
Vírus da Influenza A/imunologia , Vírus da Influenza A/isolamento & purificação , Macaca/classificação , Doenças dos Macacos/epidemiologia , Infecções por Orthomyxoviridae/veterinária , Animais , Anticorpos Antivirais/sangue , Bangladesh/epidemiologia , Camboja/epidemiologia , Indonésia/epidemiologia , Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H1N1/imunologia , Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H1N1/isolamento & purificação , Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H3N2/imunologia , Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H3N2/isolamento & purificação , Vírus da Influenza A/classificação , Doenças dos Macacos/virologia , Infecções por Orthomyxoviridae/epidemiologia , Infecções por Orthomyxoviridae/imunologia , Infecções por Orthomyxoviridae/virologia , Singapura/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Although the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) infects a third of all humans, little is known regarding the prevalence of mycobacterial infection in nonhuman primates (NHP). For more than a century, tuberculosis has been regarded as a serious infectious threat to NHP species. Advances in the detection of MTBC open new possibilities for investigating the effects of this poorly understood pathogen in diverse populations of NHP. Here, we report results of a cross-sectional study using well-described molecular methods to detect a nucleic acid sequence (IS6110) unique to the MTBC. Sample collection was focused on the oral cavity, the presumed route of transmission of MTBC. Buccal swabs were collected from 263 macaques representing 11 species in four Asian countries and Gibraltar. Contexts of contact with humans included free ranging, pets, performing monkeys, zoos, and monkey temples. Following DNA isolation from buccal swabs, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified IS6110 from 84 (31.9%) of the macaques. In general, prevalence of MTBC DNA was higher among NHP in countries where the World Health Organization reports higher prevalence of humans infected with MTBC. This is the first demonstration of MTBC DNA in the mouths of macaques. Further research is needed to establish the significance of this finding at both the individual and population levels. PCR of buccal samples holds promise as a method to elucidate the mycobacterial landscape among NHP, particularly macaques that thrive in areas of high human MTBC prevalence.