Background: Zoonoses pose a risk to public health.Objective: To carry out the investigation of the prevalence of  gastrointestinal parasites of baboons, Papio anubis, frequenting the Wikki base Camp in Yankari National Park, NigeriaMethod: Formol-ether concentration technique was used to isolate parasite eggs and cysts from faecal samples.Results: Parasites recovered were Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Strongyloides stercoralis, Fasciola sp, Schistosoma mansoni, Hymenolepis nana, and Trichostrongylus sp, and cysts of protozoan  parasites Entomoeba histolytica, E. coli, and Iodamoeba butschii.Conclusion: Most of the parasites identified are known to have high pathologic involvement in humans, implicating the baboons as potential source and reservoirs for human zoonotic parasitic infections although further molecular work would be necessary to ascertain if these  gastrointestinal parasites are the same strains that infect humansKeywords: Papio anubis, gastrointestinal parasites, zoonoses, Yankar

Audu, BS

Barshep, Y

Kumbak, D

Mafuyai, HB

Ojobe, TO

PubMed

AJOL - African Journals Online

African Health Sciences Vol 13  Issue 2 June  2013252Baboons as potential reservoirs of  zoonotic gastrointestinal parasiteinfections at Yankari National Park, NigeriaMafuyai HB, *Barshep Y, Audu BS, Kumbak D, Ojobe TODepartment of  Zoology, University of  Jos, PMB 2040, Plateau State, NigeriaAbstractBackground: Zoonoses pose a risk to public health.Objective: To carry out the investigation of  the prevalence of  gastrointestinal parasites of  baboons, Papio anubis, frequentingthe Wikki base Camp in Yankari National Park, NigeriaMethod: Formol-ether concentration technique was used to isolate parasite eggs and cysts from faecal samples.Results: Parasites recovered were Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Strongyloides stercoralis, Fasciola sp, Schistosomamansoni, Hymenolepis nana, and Trichostrongylus sp, and cysts of  protozoan parasites Entomoeba histolytica, E. coli, and Iodamoebabutschii.Conclusion: Most of the parasites identified are known to have high pathologic involvement in humans, implicating thebaboons as potential source and reservoirs for human zoonotic parasitic infections although further molecular work wouldbe necessary to ascertain if these gastrointestinal parasites are the same strains that infect humansKeywords: Papio anubis, gastrointestinal parasites, zoonoses, YankariAfrican Health Sciences 2013; 13(2):252 - 254 http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v13i2.7*Corresponding author:Yahkat BarshepA.P.Leventis Ornithological Research InstituteUniversity of JosP.O.Box 13404, LamingaPlateau State, NigeriaTelephone:+2348036037542Email: byahkat@yahoo.comIntroductionZoonoses, infectious diseases transmitted fromanimals to humans, pose a risk to public health. Anestimated 71% of emerging human pathogens ofzoonotic importance have wildlife origins1. Someof the factors which may account for this includealteration of the environment, increasing humanpopulations causing an increased level of contactbetween humans and infected animals, increasingmovements of people, and an increased trade inanimals and animal products1.The ability of infectious disease agents tocross the species barrier has long beenrecognised3.The role of wildlife in transmittinginfections to humans1,2, and in maintaining infectionthrough spillover and spillback mechanisms has beenexplored in many organisms1 but more so in non-human primates2,3,. Non-human primates often carrygastrointestinal parasites that have been found to beshared between humans and primates3,4,5. Theseparasites are found in both free-ranging naturallyoccurring populations as well as populations foundnear human-inhabitated areas6,7. To recognize andcombat zoonotic diseases, we need to identifypathogens, their vertebrate hosts, and consider thisin relation to their methods of transmission.In Yankari National Park in Nigeria, thewarm Wikki spring is a favourite tryst for baboonsand tourists. Baboons spend considerable periodsinside the water swimming and roam freely on thecamping grounds in front of the base camp offices,dropping faeces which pollute the soil, predisposingcampers to soil borne infections. Aside from puttingthe health of  resident workers in wildlife conservationareas at risk, tourists who frequent and share leisuresites such as the spring waters for bathing/swimmingand camping sites with the wildlife are also at risk.Against this background, the study soughtto investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinalparasites in three troops of baboons visiting the Wikkispring base camp, and the possibility of  any risk ofzoonotic infections.MethodsYankari National Park is located in Bauchi State inthe north–eastern part of Nigeria. The park area ofabout 2,224 square kilometres consists mainly ofsavannah woodland and riverine forest vegetationalong the banks of the river Ghaji (figure. 1). Threenatural springs are located within the park of whichthe Wikki warm spring is the most famous.African Health Sciences Vol 13  Issue 2 June  2013 253Figure 1:  Map of  Yankari National Park showing the location of  the Wikki CampFaecal samples collection and examinationFresh faecal droppings of baboons were collectedbetween 07h00 and 11h00 from three separatebaboon groups that frequent the Wikki Spring, hostel,and chalet areas. Each group was territorial anddefended their area against other groups. The groupsfrequenting the hostel and chalet area was composedof  15 and 8 individuals, respectively. Because faecalsamples were not identified to an individual, it ispossible that some samples represent multiple samplesfrom the same individual. Samples were taken fromthe middle of  the faecal dropping and preservedimmediately in 10% formal-saline solution in bijoubottles and stored until required for analysis.Formol-ether concentration technique8 was used toisolate parasite eggs and protozoan cysts from thefaecal samples. 1g of  the faecal specimen mixed with10ml of  10% formal-saline solution was put in acentrifuge tube, thoroughly homogenised, and mixedwith 3mls of ether and vigorously shaken for 30seconds. The preparation was centrifuged at 3000rpmfor 2 minutes. Faecal debris and fatty deposits at theliquid interphase was loosed with a glass rod andthe centrifuge tube rapidly inverted to decant thesupernatant. A drop of  Lugol’s iodine was addedto the deposit to aid the identification of protozoancysts on observation under a light microscope.ResultsA total of 46 faecal samples were collected andexamined. Seven helminth and nematode specieswere identified and the cysts of Entamoeba histolytica,E. coli and Iodamoeba butschii were also recovered (table1).Table 1: Gastrointestinal parasites recovered from 46 faecal samples of  Papio anubis at YankariNational Park, Nigeria Parasite species Number infectedHelminth and Ascaris lumbricoides 16nematode species Ancylostoma duodenale 3Hymenolepis nana 1Fasciola sp. 2Schistosoma mansoni 2Strongyloides stercoralis 3Trichostrongylus sp. 1Total 28Protozoa species Entamoeba histolytica 46Entamoeba coli 46 Iodamoeba butschii 20African Health Sciences Vol 13  Issue 2 June  2013254DiscussionIn a review of the over 140 zoonotic parasites sharedbetween humans and animals1,2, the intestinal parasitesrecovered in this study are amongst those known to havehigh pathologic involvement in humans. Heavy infectionwith A. lumbricoides causes diarrhoea, vomiting, andoccasionally occlusion of  the intestinal tract. The larval stagesof these parasites reside in various organs causing traumaand pathology in different viscera9. The protozoan parasitesE. histolytica and E. coli are considered to be easilytransmissible from animals to humans throughcontaminated food, water and hands10. They are known tobe the most common causative agents of debilitatingdiarrhoea in humans.However, it should be noted that althoughbaboons at YNP showed natural infections with eggs andcysts of helminth, nematode and protozoan parasites thatare morphologically similar to those found in humans5,11,It would require molecular work to ascertain if thesegastrointestinal parasites are of the same strain that infecthumans12. For instance, Oesophagostamum bifurcum foundin non-human primates is a different strain from that whichinfects humans13. Further studies exploring the infectionof the workers at YNP with these gastrointestinal parasiteswould confirm if  baboons are indeed reservoir hosts. Also,coprologic studies of gastrointestinal parasites of baboonpopulation far from human habitation could reveal if theparasites found in the baboons at the Wikki Camp are aresult of spillover and spillback from humans.ConclusionThere is no doubt that anthropogenic changes which increasecontact between humans and wildlife will inevitably play arole in the emergence and re-emergence of zoonoticdiseases11,14. Parasitic disease control programmes shouldemphasis; limited contact with non-human primates, andvaccination against potentially threatening diseases14.AcknowledgementWe thank the management and staff  of  the YankariNational Park for logistic support during the fieldwork,parasitology department of  the National Veterinary ResearchInstitute Vom for help with parasite identification, and toan unknown reviewer who provided valuable commentson the manuscript.References1. Brown C. Emerging zoonoses and pathogens ofpublic health significance–an overview. RevueScientifique et Technique de l Office International desEpizooties. 2004; 23: 435-442.2. Mahy BWJ, Brown CC. Emerging zoonoses: crossingthe species barrier. Revue Scientifique et Technique de lOffice International des Epizooties.  2000; 19: 33-40.3. Ryan SJ, Brashares JS, Walsh C, Milbers K, Kilroy C,Chapman CA.  A Survey of  Gastrointestinal Parasitesof  Olive Baboons (Papio anubis) in Human SettlementAreas of Mole National Park, Ghana. Journal ofParasitology. 2012; 98: 885-888.4. Müller-Graf  CDM, Collins DA, Woolhouse MEJ.Intestinal parasite burden in five troops of olivebaboons (Papio cynocephalus anubis) in Gombe StreamNational Park, Tanzania. Parasitology. 1996; 112: 489-497.5. Muriuki SMK, Murugu RK, Munene E, Karere GM,Chai DC. Some gastro-intestinal parasites of zoonotic(public health) importance commonly observed in oldworld non-human primates in Kenya.  Acta Tropica.1998; 71: 73-83.6. Weyher A, Ross C, Semple S. Gastrointestinal parasitesin crop raiding and wild foraging Papio anubis in Nigeria.International Journal of  Primatology. 2006; 27: 1519-1534.7. Murray S, Stem C, Boudreau B,  Goodall J. Intestinalparasites of  baboons (Papio cynocephalus anubis) andchimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in Gombe National Park.Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine. 2000; 31: 176-178.8. Chessebrough M. District Laboratory in TropicalCountries, Part 1. Cambridge University press. 1998;Pp: 246-250.9. Holmes PH. Pathophysiology of parasitic infection.Parasitology. 1987; 94 Suppl:S29-51.10. Smith JM,  Meerovitch E. Primates as a source ofEntamoeba histolytica, their zymodeme status andzoonotic potential. Journal of  Parasitology. 1985; 71:751-6.11. Standley CJ, Mugisha L, Dobson AP,  Stothard JR.Zoonotic schistosomiasis in non-human primates:past, present and future activities at the human–wildlifeinterface in Africa. Journal of  Helminthology. 2012; 86:131-140.12. de Gruijter JM, Gasser RB, Polderman AM, Asigri V,Dijkshoorn L.  High resolution DNA fingerprintingby AFLP to study the genetic variation amongOesophagostomum bifurcum (Nematoda) fromhuman and non-human primates from Ghana.Parasitology. 2005; 130: 229-237. 13. van Lieshout L, de Gruijter JM, Adu-Nsiah M et al.Oesophagostamum bifurcum in non-human primatesis not a potential reservoir for human infection inGhana. Tropical Medicine and International Health. 2005;10: 1315-1320.14. Ryan SJ, Walsh PD. Consequences of  Non-Intervention for Infectious Disease in African GreatApes. PLoS ONE. 2011; 6: e29030. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0029030.

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Baboons as potential reservoirs of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasite infections at Yankari National Park, Nigeria

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Baboons as potential reservoirs of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasite infections at Yankari National Park, Nigeria

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