A new species of Wellcomia (Nematoda: Oxyuridae) in the plains viscacha (Rodentia: Chinchillidae) from Argentina, an emended diagnosis and an update of the genus Wellcomia.

Wellcomia species (Oxyuridae, Syphaciinae) parasitise several families of rodents from Africa, Asia and America with diverse ecological characteristics. A new species of Wellcomia is described based on specimens obtained from the plains viscacha Lagostomus maximus (Chinchillidae) from Argentina. The description includes morphometric and ecological aspects and an emended diagnosis of the genus Wellcomia. In addition, a molecular characterisation (18S rRNA) and an exploratory analysis of the genetic distances of the species included in this genus are provided. The new species, Wellcomia hugoti n. sp., differs from other species of the genus in the morphology of the cephalic plate, the ventral rugose area in males and the vulva in females. The new species showed a low prevalence (7.7%) and a high mean abundance (73.8). The genetic distances detected do not allow a comprehensive assessment of the monophyly of the genus. This is the seventh record of this genus in rodents from the Americas, the second in rodents from Argentina and the first record for the family Chinchillidae.

Ecto- and endoparasites of the King's skink (Egernia kingii) on Penguin Island.

Wildlife species are often host to a diversity of parasites, but our knowledge of their diversity and ecology is extremely limited, especially for reptiles. Little is known about the host-parasite ecology of the Australian lizard, the King's skink (Egernia kingii). In spring of 2015, we carried out a field-based study of a population of King's skinks on Penguin Island (Western Australia). We documented five species of parasites, including two ectoparasitic mites (an undescribed laelapid mite and Mesolaelaps australiensis), an undescribed coccidia species, and two nematode species (Pharyngodon tiliquae and Capillaria sp.). The laelapid mite was the most abundant parasite, infesting 46.9% of the 113 captured lizards. This mite species increased in prevalence and abundance over the course of the study. Infection patterns of both mites varied with lizard life-stage; sub-adults were more commonly infested with laelapid mites than adults or juveniles, and sub-adults and adults were infested by more laelapid mites than juveniles. By contrast, adults had a higher prevalence of M. australiensis than juveniles or sub-adults. Among the gastrointestinal parasites, P. tiliquae was relatively common among the sampled lizards (35.3%). These results give new important information about reptiles as parasite hosts and what factors influence infection patterns.

Oxyurid nematodes of pet rodents in Slovakia - a neglected zoonotic threat / Nematódeos oxiurídeos de roedores de estimação na Eslováquia - uma ameaça zoonótica negligenciada

Abstract The role of rodents as reservoirs of helminths of public health importance is not well known. The zoonotic potential of Syphacia spp. has been confirmed; therefore, the study aimed to estimate the occurrence of oxyurid nematodes in small rodents from pet shops and breeding clubs in Slovakia. Fecal samples of 586 pet rodents kept in 133 cages were collected between 2016 and 2018 and examined by Faust´s flotation method. Four species of oxyurid nematodes, Syphacia muris, S. obvelata, Aspiculuris tetraptera and Paraspidodera uncinata were detected. A. tetraptera was found in the faecal samples of all rodent species included in this survey. The number of positive boxes varied from 5.4% in hamsters to 70.0% with mice. The prevalence of Syphacia muris was highest in Mongolian gerbils where up to 75.0% boxes were positive; S. obvelata was found in 26.7% of boxes with mice, 25.0% of boxes with Mongolian gerbils and 3.2% of boxes with rats. The high prevalence of Syphacia spp. in all animal species points out the infection risk for humans. Animals offered for sale are often in close contact with human beings; therefore they should be regularly tested for parasites and then effectively dewormed.

Resumo O papel dos roedores como reservatórios de helmintos de importância para a saúde pública não é bem conhecido. O potencial zoonótico de Syphacia spp. foi confirmado; portanto, o estudo teve como objetivo estimar a ocorrência de nematóides oxiurídeos em pequenos roedores de pet shops e clubes de reprodução na Eslováquia. Amostras fecais de 586 roedores mantidos em 133 gaiolas foram coletadas entre 2016 e 2018 e examinadas pelo método de flotação de Faust. Foram detectadas quatro espécies de nematódeos oxiurídeos, Syphacia muris, S. obvelata, Aspiculuris tetraptera e Paraspidodera uncinata, A. tetraptera foi encontrado nas amostras fecais de todas as espécies de roedores incluídas nesta pesquisa. O número de gaiolas positivas variou de 5,4% em hamsters a 70,0% em camundongos. A prevalência de Syphacia muris foi maior nos gerbilos da Mongólia, onde até 75,0% das gaiolas foram positivas; S. obvelata foi encontrada em 26,7% das gaiolas com camundongos, 25,0% das gaiolas com gerbilos da Mongólia e 3,2% das gaiolas com ratos. A alta prevalência de Syphacia spp. em todas as espécies animais aponta o risco de infecção para os seres humanos. Animais oferecidos para venda estão frequentemente em contato próximo com seres humanos; portanto, eles devem ser regularmente testados quanto a parasitas e, então, efetivamente desparasitados.

Oxyurid nematodes of pet rodents in Slovakia - a neglected zoonotic threat.

The role of rodents as reservoirs of helminths of public health importance is not well known. The zoonotic potential of Syphacia spp. has been confirmed; therefore, the study aimed to estimate the occurrence of oxyurid nematodes in small rodents from pet shops and breeding clubs in Slovakia. Fecal samples of 586 pet rodents kept in 133 cages were collected between 2016 and 2018 and examined by Faust´s flotation method. Four species of oxyurid nematodes, Syphacia muris, S. obvelata, Aspiculuris tetraptera and Paraspidodera uncinata were detected. A. tetraptera was found in the faecal samples of all rodent species included in this survey. The number of positive boxes varied from 5.4% in hamsters to 70.0% with mice. The prevalence of Syphacia muris was highest in Mongolian gerbils where up to 75.0% boxes were positive; S. obvelata was found in 26.7% of boxes with mice, 25.0% of boxes with Mongolian gerbils and 3.2% of boxes with rats. The high prevalence of Syphacia spp. in all animal species points out the infection risk for humans. Animals offered for sale are often in close contact with human beings; therefore they should be regularly tested for parasites and then effectively dewormed.

Survey of intestinal helminths collected from pet rodents in México.

In this survey, intestinal helminths from pet rodents in Mérida, México, were analyzed. A total of 46 mice Mus musculus, 28 hamsters Mesocricetus auratus, 23 rats Rattus norvegicus, and 1 gerbil Meriones unguiculatus were purchased from six pet shops and one black market for wildlife in the city of Mérida. The overall prevalence of helminths in rodents was 61.2% (60/98). Six species of helminths were identified: the zoonotic cestode Rodentolepis nana, and the nematodes Aspiculuris tetraptera, Dentostomella translucida, Syphacia obvelata, Syphacia mesocriceti, and Syphacia muris. Of the 60 infected rodents, 25 (41.7%) harbored 2 or 3 species of helminths. Rodentolepis nana was found in 4.3% of mice and 17.9% of hamsters. This is the first report of infection with S. muris in pet rats. Considering the close physical contact between pet rodents and humans, the presence of R. nana in pets represents a potential risk of transmission, especially to children and immunocompromised individuals.

Evaluation of Anthelmintic Resistance and Exhaust Air Dust PCR as a Diagnostic Tool in Mice Enzootically Infected with Aspiculuris tetraptera.

The entry of infectious agents in rodent colonies occurs despite robust sentinel monitoring programs, strict quarantine measures, and stringent biosecurity practices. In light of several outbreaks with Aspiculuris tetraptera in our facilities, we investigated the presence of anthelmintic resistance and the use of exhaust air dust (EAD) PCR for early detection of A. tetraptera infection. To determine anthelmintic resistance, C57BL/6, DBA/2, and NCr nude mice were experimentally inoculated with embryonated A. tetraptera ova harvested from enzootically infected mice, followed by treatment with 150 ppm fenbendazole in feed, 150 ppm fenbendazole plus 5 ppm piperazine in feed, or 2.1 mg/mL piperazine in water for 4 or 8 wk. Regardless of the mouse strain or treatment, no A. tetraptera were recovered at necropsy, indicating the lack of resistance in the worms to anthelmintic treatment. In addition, 10 of 12 DBA/2 positive-control mice cleared the A. tetraptera infection without treatment. To evaluate the feasibility of EAD PCR for A. tetraptera, 69 cages of breeder mice enzootically infected with A. tetraptera were housed on a Tecniplast IVC rack as a field study. On day 0, 56% to 58% of the cages on this rack tested positive for A. tetraptera by PCR and fecal centrifugation flotation (FCF). PCR from EAD swabs became positive for A. tetraptera DNA within 1 wk of placing the above cages on the rack. When these mice were treated with 150 ppm fenbendazole in feed, EAD PCR reverted to pinworm-negative after 1 mo of treatment and remained negative for an additional 8 wk. The ability of EAD PCR to detect few A. tetraptera positive mice was investigated by housing only 6 infected mice on another IVC rack as a field study. The EAD PCR from this rack was positive for A. tetraptera DNA within 1 wk of placing the positive mice on it. These findings demonstrate that fenbendazole is still an effective anthelmintic and that EAD PCR is a rapid, noninvasive assay that may be a useful diagnostic tool for antemortem detection of A. tetraptera infection, in conjunction with fecal PCR and FCF.

Oxyuricassis coronatus n. gen. n. sp. and O. hexaspinatus n. sp. (Oxyurida: Pharyngodonidae): Parasites of Lasiancistrus saetiger (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) in Freshwater Rivers of the Brazilian Amazon.

A new nematode genus is described from intestines of Lasiancistrus saetiger Ambruster from freshwater rivers in the Brazilian Amazon. Oxyuricassis n. gen. is characterized by a cephalic cone, small buccal cavity, long esophagus with a well-developed isthmus, and a conical tail with spines. Two new species are described: Oxyuricassis coronatus n. sp. is characterized by the absence of lateral alae, a conical tail with truncated extremity with spine-like sclerotized projections around the tail tip, and caudal alae in males expanded. Oxyuricassis hexaspinatus n. sp. is characterized by lateral alae, a conical tail with tapered extremity, with 2 pairs of proximal spines at the posterior extremity of the tail, 1 dorsal pair and 1 ventral pair, plus a pair of lateral spines that vary in position between sexes, and male of O. hexaspinatus has narrow caudal alae. Both species were found co-parasitizing all of the analyzed host specimens.

Parasites and invasions: changes in gastrointestinal helminth assemblages in invasive and native rodents in Senegal.

Understanding why some exotic species become widespread and abundant in their colonised range is a fundamental issue that still needs to be addressed. Among many hypotheses, newly established host populations may benefit from a parasite loss ("enemy release" hypothesis) through impoverishment of their original parasite communities or reduced infection levels. Moreover, the fitness of competing native hosts may be negatively affected by the acquisition of exotic taxa from invaders ("parasite spillover") and/or by an increased transmission risk of native parasites due to their amplification by invaders ("parasite spillback"). We focused on gastrointestinal helminth communities to determine whether these predictions could explain the ongoing invasion success of the commensal house mouse (Mus musculus domesticus) and black rat (Rattus rattus), as well as the associated decrease in native Mastomys spp., in Senegal. For both invasive species, our results were consistent with the predictions of the enemy release hypothesis. A decrease in overall gastrointestinal helminth prevalence and infracommunity species richness was observed along the invasion gradients as well as lower specific prevalence/abundance (Aspiculuris tetraptera in Mus musculus domesticus, Hymenolepis diminuta in Rattus rattus) on the invasion fronts. Conversely, we did not find strong evidence of GIH spillover or spillback in invasion fronts, where native and invasive rodents co-occurred. Further experimental research is needed to determine whether and how the loss of gastrointestinal helminths and reduced infection levels along invasion routes may result in any advantageous effects on invader fitness and competitive advantage.

Bank voles (Myodes glareolus) and house mice (Mus musculus musculus; M. m. domesticus) in Europe are each parasitized by their own distinct species of Aspiculuris (Nematoda, Oxyurida).

The molecular phylogeny and morphology of the oxyuroid nematode genus Aspiculuris from voles and house mice has been examined. Worms collected from Myodes glareolus in Poland, Eire and the UK are identified as Aspiculuris tianjinensis, previously known only from China, while worms from Mus musculus from a range of locations in Europe and from laboratory mice, all conformed to the description of Aspiculuris tetraptera. Worms from voles and house mice are not closely related and are not derived from each other, with A. tianjinensis being most closely related to Aspiculuris dinniki from snow voles and to an isolate from Microtus longicaudus in the Nearctic. Both A. tianjinensis and A. tetraptera appear to represent recent radiations within their host groups; in voles, this radiation cannot be more than 2 million years old, while in commensal house mice it is likely to be less than 10,000 years old. The potential of Aspiculuris spp. as markers of host evolution is highlighted.

A new species of Spauligodon (Nematoda: Oxyuroidea: Pharyngodonidae) in Cyrtodactylus bintangrendah (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from Peninsular Malaysia.

Spauligodon bintangensis n. sp. from the intestines of Cyrtodactylus bintangrendah (Gekkonidae) from Peninsular Malaysia is described and illustrated. Spauligodon bintangensis n. sp. represents the 51st species assigned to the genus and the first species from the Oriental Region. The new species is most similar to Spauligodon atlanticus, Spauligodon eremiasi, and Spauligodon occidentalis, but is easily separated by position of vulva, prebulbar in S. atlanticus and S. occidentalis , postbulbar in the new species, and location of lateral alae; in S. eremiasi, the lateral alae occur only in the fourth quarter of the body, whereas in the new species the lateral alae begin just posterior to lips.

Characterization of rat pinworm (Syphacia muris) epidemiology as a means to increase detection and elimination.

Rodent pinworms persist in many institutions, suggesting deficiencies in eradication and diagnostic processes. When pinworms are detected, treatment success is common, but false-negative test results during health surveillance or after treatment likely contribute to the continued presence of this parasite. PCR testing is not always practical, and increased information regarding the life cycle and general epidemiology of pinworm infestations could improve the sensitivity of traditional nonPCR detection methods and improve eradication efforts. We therefore investigated a pinworm (Syphacia muris) infestation in Sprague-Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus) to develop a more accurate testing strategy. In addition, we sought to determine the duration of egg viability by using an in vitro hatching protocol to assess environmental persistence. Finally, we tested the ovicidal efficacy of a disinfectant used at our institution. Eggs were shed in higher numbers in the midafternoon as compared with other times of the day, and the sex of the host had no consistent effect on egg shedding. Egg shedding showed periodicity over time, with shedding decreasing to 0 at 2- to 3-wk intervals. Neither cecal examination nor tape tests alone reliably predicted pinworm infestation, and results of the 2 tests did not necessarily coincide. Eggs aged for as long as 7 mo remained viable, indicating a potential for recontamination from the environment. Finally, gaseous chlorine dioxide was an effective ovicidal agent, with a kill rate of 99.7%. These results suggest that strategies for S. muris eradication can be optimized to increase detection and elimination.

False-positive results after environmental pinworm PCR testing due to Rhabditid nematodes in Corncob bedding.

Modern rodent colonies are housed in individually ventilated cages to protect the animals from contamination with adventitious pathogens. Standard health monitoring through soiled-bedding sentinels does not always detect infections, especially in the context of low pathogen prevalence. Recently proposed alternatives include analyzing environmental samples from the cages or rack exhaust by PCR to improve the detection of rodent pathogens but optimal sampling strategies have not yet been established for different microorganisms. Although generally very sensitive and specific, these molecular assays are not foolproof and subject to false-positive and -negative results and should always be interpreted cautiously with an overall understanding of the intrinsic controls and all the variables that may affect the results. Here, we report a limited Aspiculuris tetraptera outbreak in a mouse barrier facility that was detected by fecal PCR in sentinels and confirmed by fecal flotation and direct cecal examination of both sentinels and colony animals. The outbreak led to a widespread survey of all facilities for pinworms by using environmental PCR from ventilated rack exhaust plenums. Environmental PCR suggested an unexpected widespread contamination of all ventilated racks holding nonautoclaved cages, but results could not be confirmed in sentinel or colony animals by fecal flotation, cecal and colonic examination, or cage PCR testing. After additional investigation, the unexpected environmental PCR results were confirmed as false-positive findings due to the nonspecificity of the assay, leading to the amplification of rhabditid nematodes, which are not infectious in rodents but which contaminated the corncob bedding.

Nematodes from the caecum and colon of Pogonomys (Muridae: Anisomyini) from Papua New Guinea with the descriptions of a new genus of Oxyuridae (Nematoda: Oxyurida) and a new species of Trichuridae (Nematoda: Enoplida).

Nematodes, comprising 2 species, a new genus from the family Syphaciidae and a new species from the family Trichuridae were collected from the lower digestive tracts of 4 species of Pogonomys; P. championi, Flannery (12 individuals), P. loriae, Thomas (14 individuals), P. macrourus, (Milne Edwards) (19 individuals) and P. sylvestris, Thomas (27 individuals) from Papua, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Pogonomicola rugala n. gen., n. sp. differs from all other genera in the Sypaciidae in having cervical alae with numerous folds and a single weakly defined mamelon. Trichuris germani n. sp. differs from all congeners, including the cosmopolitan T. muris, the only other trichurid reported from the region, by the lengths of the spicules and vagina, the ratio of anterior to posterior body length and the number of convolutions of the testis. The genus Pogonomys, with four species from four nematode families had a relatively rich helminth fauna in the lower digestive tract compared to other ansomyins studied. The Oxyuridae, with three genera comprising 5 species was the dominant group found in the lower digestive tract of the Anisomyini, indicating the possibility that the isolation of the old endemic rodents in New Guinea has been associated with a period of coevolution between anisomyin hosts and their syphaciine parasites.

A new oxyurid species (Nematoda) collected from a Japanese serow, Capricornis crispus (Mammalia: Bovidae), in Japan.

Skrjabinema kamosika sp. n. (Nematoda: Oxyuridae) is described based on both sexes collected from endemic Japanese serows, Capricornis crispus (Mammalia: Bovidae), of Wakayama Prefecture, western Honshu Island, and Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku Island, Japan. It is readily distinguished from the congeners by having tricuspid sub-interlabial projections in males, large triangular lateral lobes of the lips that do not reach the mouth rim, and a large length ratio of alate/nonalate portions of the tail in females. Close identity in the nucleotide arrangement of ITS2 region between the present material and that from C. crispus of Iwate Prefecture, northern Honshu Island, suggests wide distribution of S. kamosika in Japan. In partial 18S rDNA nucleotide sequence, 0.77% differed from that of Skrjabinema sp. from Capra hircus in the United States.

Marmosa paraguayana (Marsupialia: Didelphidae) as a new host for Gracilioxyuris agilisis (Nematoda: Oxyuridae) in Brazil.

Didelphids (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) are a large and well-studied group of Neotropical marsupials. Although knowledge of the parasitic fauna of didelphids is still scarce, recent work has suggested that Neotropical marsupials are often hosts of pinworms. Here, we isolated oxyurid nematodes from fecal samples of Marmosa paraguayana (Marsupialia: Didelphidae) and provide a general description and measurements for male and female specimens. We concluded these specimens can be assigned to Gracilioxyuris agilisis (Ascaridida: Oxyuridae), an oxyurid recently described as a parasite of the didelphid Gracilinanus agilis (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae). The finding of G. agilisis in a different, albeit closely related, host species strengthens the previous notion of a close association between pinworms and didelphids and contributes to the knowledge of the helminthic fauna of didelphid marsupials.

A new species of Spauligodon (Nematoda: Oxyurida: Pharyngodonidae) in geckos from São Nicolau Island (Cape Verde) and its phylogenetic assessment.

A new nematode species, Spauligodon nicolauensis n. sp., is described from geckos Tarentola bocagei and Tarentola nicolauensis on the island of São Nicolau, Cape Verde. The new nematode was found in the pellets obtained directly from the geckos in a non-invasive fashion, and its identity was assessed both at morphologic and genetic levels. The new species has morphological similarities with Spauligodon tarentolae Spaul, 1926, also parasitizing geckos from the Canary Islands. However, the male cloacal region in the new species is distinct, presenting a different shape of the caudal papillae. The overall resemblance probably resulted from colonization via descent from an ancestor of S. tarentolae carried by the ancestor of Cape Verde Tarentola. The analysis of nuclear DNA sequences confirms that the new species is phylogenetically distinct from all other Spauligodon species already analyzed, forming a group clearly separated from species parasitizing lacertid lizards. The COI genetic distance suggests that the S. nicolauensis n. sp. found in the 2 species of geckos in São Nicolau Island may have resulted from a host-switching event, when they came into contact after the unification of the island.

A new species of Spauligodon (Nematoda: Oxyuroidea: Pharyngodonidae) in Gonatodes antillensis (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae) from Bonaire, Lesser Antilles.

Spauligodon bonairensis n. sp. from the large intestines of the Antilles gecko, Gonatodes antillensis (Lacertidae), from Bonaire, Lesser Antilles, is described and illustrated. The new species is the 48th assigned to the genus and the 10th from the Neotropical region. Spauligodon bonairensis n. sp. is most similar to S. giganticus, S. hemidactylus, S. lamonthei, and S. oxkutzcabiensis in that only these 5 species possess lanceolate eggs. For males of these species, only S. lamothei possess a spicule, and only S. oxktzcabiensis has an aspinose tail. The egg of S. hemidactylus has 2 knobs; in S. giganticus, the more rounded end supports the single knob. In S. bonairensis n. sp., the more pointed end supports the single knob.

Oxiuriasis apendicular: estudio de prevalencia y descripción clínico-morfológica / Presence of Enterobius vermicularis in surgical pieces of appendectomies

Background: The frequency of appendicular presence of Enterobius vermicularis varies from 0.2 to 41.8 percent. It is generally a pathological finding. The luminal obstruction by the parasite may unveil an acute appendicitis. Aim: To study the frequency of Enterobius vermicularis presence in surgical pieces of appendectomies. Material and Methods: Analysis of surgical pieces of appendectomies processed at the pathology laboratory of a general hospital, between 1993 and 2010. Results: In 21.038 surgical pieces, the presence of Enterobius vermicularis was found in 322 (1.5 percent). Fifty nine percent were women and 71 percent were younger than 18 years. Acute inflammation was confirmed in 71 percent. A history of previous abdominal pain was present in 40 and 70 percent of patients with and without acute inflammation in the surgical piece. Conclusions: In this series, the frequency of Enterobius vermicularis presence in surgical pieces of appendectomy was 1.5 percent.

Introducción: La frecuencia de Enterobius vermicularis (EB) apendicular varía entre 0,2-41,8 por ciento, siendo generalmente su diagnóstico un hallazgo al estudio histopatológico. La obstrución luminal puede desencadenar un cólico apendicular o evolucionar a una apendicitis aguda, siendo por tanto una causa frecuente de apendicectomía. El objetivo del estudio es determinar la prevalencia de EB en piezas quirúrgicas de apendicectomía junto con describir características clínico-morfológicas. Material y Método: Cohorte retrospectiva de pacientes con oxiuriasis apendicular diagnosticados en el Hospital Hernán Henríquez Aravena entre 1993-2010. Se estudiaron variables clínico-morfológicas, utilizándose estadística descriptiva y analítica, aplicando Chi-cuadrado y test exacto de Fisher para variables categóricas y T-student para variables continuas con un IC de 95 por ciento. Resultados: En 21.038 apendicectomías se verificaron EB en 322 casos (1,53 por ciento). El 59 por ciento eran mujeres y 71 por ciento menor de 18 años. Inflamación aguda fue confirmada en 71 por ciento. En casos con inflamación aguda la temperatura rectal y recuento leucocitario promedio fue 380 C y 12.975 mm³ respectivamente, mientras que en casos sin inflamación 37,80 C y 10.984 mm³ (p = N.S). En el grupo apendicectomizado por sospecha de apendicitis el 40 por ciento tenía historia de dolor abdominal previo, mientras que en aquellos sin inflamación aguda asociada el 72 por ciento (p = 0,005). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de EB apendicular fue 1,53 por ciento, afectando fundamentalmente a niños-jóvenes del sexo femenino. La oxiuriasis apendicular representa una causa de dolor abdominal interpretado como apendicitis aguda, sin asociarse a inflamación en el examen anatomopatológico. La historia de dolor abdominal previo resultó una variable útil para discriminar cólico apendicular de apendicitis aguda.

Does home range use explain the relationship between group size and parasitism? A test with two sympatric species of howler monkeys.

Group size is related to parasite infections in primates. This relationship probably reflects the fact that group size is associated with body contact between group members and with contact with contaminated items in the environment. The latter is highly associated with range use. In the present study we hypothesized that if infection by directly transmitted parasites (DTP) is mainly determined by the exposure of individuals to parasites that accumulate in the environment, and group size correlates negatively with the intensity of home range use, then smaller groups should be more infected by DTP. Additionally, groups that share a higher proportion of their home range with other groups should be more infected. To test our hypothesis we observed and collected fecal samples of two groups of Alouatta palliata (large group size) and two groups of A. pigra (small group size) that live sympatrically in a forest fragment located in Macuspana (Mexico). Group size was positively correlated with range area size and negatively correlated with the intensity of home range use. Range use variables were not related to either DTP prevalence or load. However, there were significant differences in DTP loads between groups, which were positively correlated with group size. Our results suggest that the intensity of home range use is a poor predictor of DTP infection parameters in groups with marked differences in size. Therefore, it is possible that the individual or combined effects of other ecological (e.g., microclimate), social (e.g., contact rate), or physiological (e.g., immune function) factors are more important in the dynamics of DTP in free-ranging primates.