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Survey of gastrointestinal parasites of non-human primates from two iberian zoos and perspectives of their integrated control

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Resumo:	ABSTRACT - Infections by gastrointestinal (GI) parasites are frequent in captive non-human primates (NHPs) and may result in severe health and economic concerns, making its correct diagnosis and control of extreme importance. However, no guidelines are available for this purpose and few studies have been published on this topic. The current research aimed to contribute to a better understanding regarding the most common GI parasites affecting these animals, available diagnostic techniques and sustainable control approaches. NHP faeces from two Iberian zoological institutions (Lisbon and Barcelona Zoos) were surveyed for the presence of GI parasites using six different coprological methods: McMaster, Mini-FLOTAC, Willis-flotation, Natural Sedimentation, Baermann and Faecal Smears. Also, an adaptation of the Adhesive Tape Method (ATM) was used to monitor enclosure contamination of an oxyurid-infected group of spider monkeys. To our knowledge, this was the first study to adapt this method to monitor enclosure contamination by eggs. Finally, the in vitro efficacy of five native Mucor sp. isolates obtained from NHP faeces was tested for the biological control of Trichuris sp. eggs. The obtained results from the conducted survey evidenced that 41% (11/27) and 32% (7/22) of the analyzed groups from the Lisbon and Barcelona Zoos, respectively, were positive for GI parasites. Nematodes were the most prevalent parasite group, followed by protozoans and cestodes. The Mini-FLOTAC and Willis-flotation techniques allowed for the identification of the highest number of infections, despite failing to identify some parasites. Moreover, the observed results indicate that the Mini-FLOTAC technique is a viable alternative to the McMaster technique for the diagnosis and quantification of GI parasites in NHPs. Furthermore, the ATM revealed that the examined enclosures presented a high level of contamination that was not influenced by the application of neither the cleaning nor deworming protocols in place. Finally, the Mucor sp. isolates showed the ability to survive the GI passage in these animals and maintain their ovicidal activity. Fungal isolates revealed different efficacies on Water-Agar medium and faecal cultures, with the MSM isolate presenting an egg unviability rate of 100% on the first assay. These findings display the high prevalence that parasites with direct life cycles can achieve in zoological institutions, as well as the need to implement an ensemble of coprological techniques to perform a complete parasitological survey. The importance of a multi-level approach to control parasitic infections in captive NHPs, assessing both the animal population and the environment is also exhibited. Lastly, this work implies that some Mucor sp. isolates can be effective in the reduction of environmental contamination by Trichuris sp. eggs
Autores principais:	Lourenço, Miguel Filipe Almeida
Assunto:	Diagnosis Gastrointestinal parasites Integrated control Non-human primate Zoological institutions Diagnóstico Parasitas gastrointestinais Controlo integrado Primatas não-humanos Instituições Zoológicas
Ano:	2023
País:	Portugal
Tipo de documento:	dissertação de mestrado
Tipo de acesso:	acesso aberto
Instituição associada:	Universidade de Lisboa
Idioma:	inglês
Origem:	Repositório da Universidade de Lisboa