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Klein A, Radespiel U, Springer A, Rakotondravony R, Strube C. Temporal dynamics in gastrointestinal helminth infections of sympatric mouse lemur species ( Microcebus murinus and Microcebus ravelobensis) in Northwestern Madagascar. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2024; 25:100972. [PMID: 39228687 PMCID: PMC11369387 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
Madagascar's lemur populations are declining in dwindling habitats due to anthropogenic expansion and changing climatic conditions. Gastrointestinal parasites can be important indicators to assess the health status of threatened species. However, parasites, hosts and the environment are connected in complex interactions. The present study aimed to disentangle the impact of seasonal and several host-specific factors (sex, species, age, reproductive status, and body mass) on endoparasitism in two small-bodied, co-occurring lemur species (Microcebus murinus and Microcebus ravelobensis) in the Ankarafantsika National Park. Helminth prevalence and egg shedding intensity was investigated via copromicroscopic examination of 810 fecal samples that were obtained from 178 individuals across an 11-month period with a longitudinal approach via repeated captures in a 30.6 ha forest area. Both mouse lemur hosts shed seven morphologically distinct egg types (assigned to Subulura baeri, unidentified Enterobiinae, Spirura sp., Lemuricola sp., two Hymenolepididae spp., one unidentified ascarid). Postmortem examination of two deceased individuals enabled assignment of adult worms to egg morphotypes of S. baeri, Spirura sp. and one Hymenolepididae sp., supported by molecular analysis. A significant seasonal variation was observed in the occurrence of the three most common helminth species S. baeri (total prevalence 71%), unidentified Enterobiinae (46%) and Spirura sp. (38%), with a higher likelihood of infection with advancing dry season. Neither host species, sex nor reproductive status had a significant effect on gastrointestinal helminth infections. Host body mass showed pronounced seasonal changes but did not differ significantly between infected and non-infected individuals. The pathogenic effects of gastrointestinal helminths therefore likely remained within compensable limits in the studied mouse lemur populations. Our findings highlight the prominent influence of seasonal changes on helminth communities. The results of combined morphologic and genetic approaches can furthermore help to overcome limitations of parasite identification via copromicroscopy by linking egg morphology to DNA sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Klein
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ute Radespiel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andrea Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Romule Rakotondravony
- Ecole Doctorale Ecosystèmes Naturels (EDEN), University of Mahajanga, 5 Rue Georges V - Immeuble KAKAL, Mahajanga Be, B.P. 652, Mahajanga, 401, Madagascar
- Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l’Environnement, University of Mahajanga, Campus Universitaire Ambondrona, B.P. 652, Mahajanga, 401, Madagascar
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
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Mariencheck CL. The immunity gap in primates. Evol Anthropol 2024; 33:e22038. [PMID: 38877873 DOI: 10.1002/evan.22038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
Vertebrates exhibit sexual dimorphism in response to infectious diseases and in morbidity and mortality rates to various pathogens. Females are generally more immunocompetent than males, despite their increased reproductive burden and the immunosuppressive effects of gestation. In addition, females generally have lower incidences of cancer compared to males; however, they have higher rates of autoimmune disorders. These sex differences may be a result of life history differences, sexual selection, genetics, and/or the physiological effects of hormones. As highly social mammals with complex life histories, primates offer a unique opportunity to investigate the evolution of enhanced female immunocompetence. This review aims to examine the evidence of this immunity gap, understand current hypotheses for its evolution, and explore the potential role of X chromosome specific genes and heterozygosity within this framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara L Mariencheck
- Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, Department of Anthropology, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Kiene F, Springer A, Andriatsitohaina B, Ramsay MS, Rakotondravony R, Strube C, Radespiel U. Filarial infections in lemurs: Evidence for a wide geographical distribution and low host specificity among lemur species. Am J Primatol 2023; 85:e23458. [PMID: 36504317 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The relevance of emerging infectious diseases continues to grow worldwide as human activities increasingly extend into formerly remote natural areas. This is particularly noticeable on the island of Madagascar. As closest relatives to humans on the island, lemurs are of particular relevance as a potential origin of zoonotic pathogen spillover. Knowledge of pathogens circulating in lemur populations is, however, very poor. Particularly little is known about lemur hemoparasites. To infer host range, ecological and geographic spread of the recently described hemoparasitic nematode Lemurfilaria lemuris in northwestern Madagascar, a total of 942 individuals of two mouse lemur species (Microcebus murinus [n = 207] and Microcebus ravelobensis [n = 433]) and two rodent species (the endemic Eliurus myoxinus [n = 118] and the invasive Rattus rattus [n = 184]) were captured in two fragmented forest landscapes (Ankarafantsika National Park and Mariarano Classified Forest) in northwestern Madagascar for blood sample examination. No protozoan hemoparasites were detected by microscopic blood smear screening. Microfilaria were present in 1.0% (2/207) of M. murinus and 2.1% (9/433) of M. ravelobensis blood samples but not in rodent samples. Internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) sequences were identical to an unnamed Onchocercidae species previously described to infect a larger lemur species, Propithecus verreauxi, about 650 km further south. In contrast to expectations, L. lemuris was not detected. The finding of a pathogen in a distantly related host species, at a considerable geographic distance from the location of its original detection, instead of a microfilaria species previously described for one of the studied host species in the same region, illustrates our low level of knowledge of lemur hemoparasites, their host ranges, distribution, modes of transmission, and their zoonotic potential. Our findings shall stimulate new research that will be of relevance for both conservation medicine and human epidemiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Kiene
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany.,Centre for Infection Medicine, Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany.,Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andrea Springer
- Centre for Infection Medicine, Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Bertrand Andriatsitohaina
- Ecole Doctorale Ecosystèmes Naturels (EDEN), University of Mahajanga, Mahajanga, Madagascar.,Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l'Environnement, University of Mahajanga, Mahajanga, Madagascar
| | - Malcolm S Ramsay
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany.,Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Romule Rakotondravony
- Ecole Doctorale Ecosystèmes Naturels (EDEN), University of Mahajanga, Mahajanga, Madagascar.,Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l'Environnement, University of Mahajanga, Mahajanga, Madagascar
| | - Christina Strube
- Centre for Infection Medicine, Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Ute Radespiel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
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Radespiel U, Scheumann M. Introduction to the Special Issue Celebrating the Life and Work of Elke Zimmermann. INT J PRIMATOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-022-00307-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Klein A, Strube C, Becker SC, Naccache F. Screening for Viruses and Lemur-Associated Filara in Wild-Caught Mosquitoes From Madagascar. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:983-989. [PMID: 33710313 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Madagascar is a hotspot of biodiversity, but poverty and population growth provoke a high risk of conflict between food security and biodiversity conservation in this tropical country. Numerous vector-borne diseases, including viral infections, affect public health in Madagascar and a continuous expansion of anthropogenically used areas intensifies contact on the human-wildlife interface. However, data on human and animal pathogens in potential insect vectors is limited. Therefore, we conducted a parasitological and virological survey of 785 adult female mosquitoes between March and May 2016 at the Ankarafantsika National Park in northwestern Madagascar. Screening included Alpha-, Phlebo-, and Flaviviridae and the recently described filarial nematode species, Lemurfilaria lemuris. The predominant mosquito genus was Culex (91%), followed by Mansonia (4.1%), Anopheles (3.4%), and Aedes (0.9%). Viral screening revealed no arboviruses, but an insect-specific flavivirus in two Culex sitiens pools. No pools screened positive for the lemur-specific filarial nematode L. lemuris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Klein
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefanie C Becker
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Fanny Naccache
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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Laidoudi Y, Medkour H, Levasseur A, Davoust B, Mediannikov O. New Molecular Data on Filaria and its Wolbachia from Red Howler Monkeys ( Alouatta macconnelli) in French Guiana-A Preliminary Study. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9080626. [PMID: 32752052 PMCID: PMC7460519 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9080626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have reported filarial parasites of the genus Dipetalonema and Mansonella from French Guiana monkeys, based on morphological taxonomy. In this study, we screened blood samples from nine howler monkeys (Alouatta macconnelli) for the presence of filaria and Wolbachia DNA. The infection rates were 88.9% for filaria and 55.6% for wolbachiae. The molecular characterization, based on the 18S gene of filariids, revealed that A. macconnelli are infected with at least three species (Mansonella sp., Brugia sp. and an unidentified Onchocercidae species.). Since the 18S and cox1 generic primers are not very effective at resolving co-infections, we developed ITS genus-specific PCRs for Mansonella and Brugia genus. The results revealed coinfections in 75% of positives. The presence of Mansonella sp. and Brugia sp. was also confirmed by the 16S phylogenetic analysis of their associated Wolbachia. Mansonella sp., which close to the species from the subgenus Tetrapetalonema encountered in New World Monkeys, while Brugia sp. was identical to the strain circulating in French Guiana dogs. We propose a novel ITS1Brugia genus-specific qPCR. We applied it to screen for Brugia infection in howler monkeys and 66.7% were found to be positive. Our finding highlights the need for further studies to clarify the species diversity of neotropics monkeys by combining molecular and morphological features. The novel Brugia genus-specific qPCR assays could be an effective tool for the surveillance and characterization of this potential zoonosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Younes Laidoudi
- IRD, AP-HM, Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEPHI), IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19–21, Bd Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France; (Y.L.); (H.M.); (A.L.); (B.D.)
- Aix Marseille Univ, 19–21, Bd Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Hacène Medkour
- IRD, AP-HM, Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEPHI), IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19–21, Bd Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France; (Y.L.); (H.M.); (A.L.); (B.D.)
- Aix Marseille Univ, 19–21, Bd Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Anthony Levasseur
- IRD, AP-HM, Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEPHI), IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19–21, Bd Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France; (Y.L.); (H.M.); (A.L.); (B.D.)
- Aix Marseille Univ, 19–21, Bd Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Bernard Davoust
- IRD, AP-HM, Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEPHI), IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19–21, Bd Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France; (Y.L.); (H.M.); (A.L.); (B.D.)
- Aix Marseille Univ, 19–21, Bd Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- IRD, AP-HM, Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEPHI), IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19–21, Bd Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France; (Y.L.); (H.M.); (A.L.); (B.D.)
- Aix Marseille Univ, 19–21, Bd Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +3304-1373-24-01
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Kiene F, Andriatsitohaina B, Ramsay MS, Rakotondramanana H, Rakotondravony R, Radespiel U, Strube C. Forest edges affect ectoparasite infestation patterns of small mammalian hosts in fragmented forests in Madagascar. Int J Parasitol 2020; 50:299-313. [PMID: 32224123 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Habitat loss and fragmentation drive the worldwide depletion of biodiversity. Although it is known that anthropogenic disturbances severely affect host and ecosystem integrity, effects on parasites are largely understudied. This study aims to investigate if and how habitat fragmentation affects the composition of ectoparasite communities on small mammalian hosts in two networks of dry deciduous forest fragments in northwestern Madagascar. Forest sites differing in size, proportion of edge habitat and host density were studied in the Ankarafantsika National Park and in the Mariarano region. A total of 924 individuals of two mouse lemur species, Microcebus murinus (n = 200) and Microcebus ravelobensis (n = 426), and two rodent species, endemic Eliurus myoxinus (n = 114) and introduced Rattus rattus (n = 184), were captured to assess ectoparasite infestations. Ectoparasite prevalence and ectoparasite species richness were statistically related to nine ecological variables applying generalized linear mixed models. Hosts harbored ticks (Haemaphysalis microcebi), mites (Schoutedenichia microcebi, Listrophoroides spp., Laelaptidae gen. spp.) and sucking lice (Lemurpediculus spp., Polyplax sp., Hoplopleuridae gen. sp.). Parasite prevalence differed significantly between host species for all detected parasite taxa. Proximity to the forest edge led to a significant reduction in ectoparasites. Parasite-specific edge effects were observed up to a distance of 750 m from the forest edge. The obtained results imply that habitat fragmentation impacts ectoparasite communities, in particular by negatively affecting temporary parasite species. The results are best explained by an interplay of parasite life cycles, responses to changes in abiotic factors induced by edges and host-specific responses to habitat fragmentation. The negative responses of most studied ectoparasite taxa to forest edges and habitat fragmentation demonstrate their ecological vulnerability that may eventually threaten the integrity of ecosystems and potentially impact ectoparasite biodiversity worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Kiene
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany; Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany
| | - Bertrand Andriatsitohaina
- Ecole Doctorale Ecosystèmes Naturels (EDEN), University of Mahajanga, 5 Rue Georges V - Immeuble KAKAL, Mahajanga Be, B.P. 652, Mahajanga 401, Madagascar; Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany
| | - Malcolm S Ramsay
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto, 19 Russell Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S2, Canada; Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany
| | - Herinjatovo Rakotondramanana
- Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l'Environnement, University of Mahajanga, 5 Rue Georges V - Immeuble KAKAL, Mahajanga Be, B.P. 652, Mahajanga 401, Madagascar
| | - Romule Rakotondravony
- Ecole Doctorale Ecosystèmes Naturels (EDEN), University of Mahajanga, 5 Rue Georges V - Immeuble KAKAL, Mahajanga Be, B.P. 652, Mahajanga 401, Madagascar; Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l'Environnement, University of Mahajanga, 5 Rue Georges V - Immeuble KAKAL, Mahajanga Be, B.P. 652, Mahajanga 401, Madagascar
| | - Ute Radespiel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany.
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany.
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