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Enzootic simian piroplasm ( Entopolypoides macaci ) in wild‐caught Kenyan non‐human primates
Author(s) -
Jeneby M.M.,
Ngeiywa M.,
Yole D.S.,
Mwenda J.M.,
Suleman M.A.,
Carlson H.E.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of medical primatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.31
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1600-0684
pISSN - 0047-2565
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0684.2008.00294.x
Subject(s) - african green monkey , biology , enzootic , cercopithecus aethiops , simian , titer , papio anubis , primate , parasite hosting , antigen , virology , physiology , baboon , veterinary medicine , immunology , antibody , medicine , ecology , virus , world wide web , computer science
Abstract Background Three species of non‐human primates comprising African green monkeys (AGMs), ( Cercopithecus aethiops , n = 89), Syke’s monkeys ( Cercopithecus mitis , n = 60) and olive baboons ( Papio cynocephalus anubis , n = 30), were screened for Entopolypoides macaci . Methods Observation of blood smears prepared from these animals revealed E. macaci infection rate of 42.7% in AGMs, 35% in Syke’s monkeys and 33.3% in baboons. Results Gender infection rate was 38.2% in females and 29% in males . Statistically, there was no significant difference in infection rates between the monkey species and sexes ( P > 0.05). Subsequent indirect immuno fluorescent antibody test supported the morphological appearance of E. macaci observed by microscopy. Sera from infected animals reacted positively (1:625) with E. macaci antigen, but not to Babesia bigemina or B. bovis antigen at 1:125 titer. Conclusion This study has revealed high prevalence of E. macaci infection in all three widely distributed Kenyan non‐human primates. With the continued use of these animals as models for human parasitic diseases, the presence of this highly enzootic parasite should be noted.