Hidden population structure and cross-species transmission of whipworms (Trichuris sp.) in humans and non-human primates in Uganda.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis
; 8(10): e3256, 2014 Oct.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25340752
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Whipworms (Trichuris sp.) are a globally distributed genus of parasitic helminths that infect a diversity of mammalian hosts. Molecular methods have successfully resolved porcine whipworm, Trichuris suis, from primate whipworm, T. trichiura. However, it remains unclear whether T. trichiura is a multi-host parasite capable of infecting a wide taxonomic breadth of primate hosts or a complex of host specific parasites that infect one or two closely related hosts. METHODS ANDFINDINGS:
We examined the phylogenetic structure of whipworms in a multi-species community of non-human primates and humans in Western Uganda, using both traditional microscopy and molecular methods. A newly developed nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method applied to non-invasively collected fecal samples detected Trichuris with 100% sensitivity and 97% specificity relative to microscopy. Infection rates varied significantly among host species, from 13.3% in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) to 88.9% in olive baboons (Papio anubis). Phylogenetic analyses based on nucleotide sequences of the Trichuris internal transcribed spacer regions 1 and 2 of ribosomal DNA revealed three co-circulating Trichuris groups. Notably, one group was detected only in humans, while another infected all screened host species, indicating that whipworms from this group are transmitted among wild primates and humans. CONCLUSIONS ANDSIGNIFICANCE:
Our results suggest that the host range of Trichuris varies by taxonomic group, with some groups showing host specificity, and others showing host generality. In particular, one Trichuris taxon should be considered a multi-host pathogen that is capable of infecting wild primates and humans. This challenges past assumptions about the host specificity of this and similar helminth parasites and raises concerns about animal and human health.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Primatas
/
Tricuríase
/
Trichuris
/
Especificidade de Hospedeiro
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
País como assunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2014
Tipo de documento:
Article