First report of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in wild-caught Caribbean African green monkeys
Abstract Background Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite capable of infecting all warm-blooded animals. Humans can become infected by ingesting infective oocysts from the environment or contaminated food or water, or by ingesting tissue cysts in undercooked infected meat or by handling infected...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2014-12-01
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| Series: | Parasites & Vectors |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-014-0571-x |
| _version_ | 1827933641050685440 |
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| author | Clare M Hamilton Frank Katzer Amy Beierschmitt Esteban Soto Elisabeth A Innes Patrick J Kelly |
| author_facet | Clare M Hamilton Frank Katzer Amy Beierschmitt Esteban Soto Elisabeth A Innes Patrick J Kelly |
| author_sort | Clare M Hamilton |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite capable of infecting all warm-blooded animals. Humans can become infected by ingesting infective oocysts from the environment or contaminated food or water, or by ingesting tissue cysts in undercooked infected meat or by handling infected meat. Caribbean African green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) are present in large numbers on the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean, and it is not uncommon for these animals to be trapped and eaten by islanders. The aim of this study was to determine T. gondii infection in Caribbean African green monkeys. Findings Sera collected from 79 wild-caught Caribbean African green monkeys were examined for T. gondii antibodies by ELISA. Antibodies were detected in 38 out of 79 (48.1%) monkeys. Significantly more females were infected than males but there was no significant effect of age or location on antibody status. Conclusions Results indicate that Caribbean African green monkeys can be infected with T. gondii and that there is widespread environmental contamination of St. Kitts with oocysts. These monkeys could present a potential source of T. gondii infection if their meat is consumed undercooked. This is the first report of T. gondii antibodies in this species. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T07:27:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-960ad0a775144e19b0bfbb20177b15a7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1756-3305 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T07:27:34Z |
| publishDate | 2014-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Parasites & Vectors |
| spelling | doaj.art-960ad0a775144e19b0bfbb20177b15a72023-06-04T11:17:36ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052014-12-01711410.1186/s13071-014-0571-xFirst report of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in wild-caught Caribbean African green monkeysClare M Hamilton0Frank Katzer1Amy Beierschmitt2Esteban Soto3Elisabeth A Innes4Patrick J Kelly5Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush LoanMoredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush LoanRoss University School of Veterinary MedicineRoss University School of Veterinary MedicineMoredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush LoanRoss University School of Veterinary MedicineAbstract Background Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite capable of infecting all warm-blooded animals. Humans can become infected by ingesting infective oocysts from the environment or contaminated food or water, or by ingesting tissue cysts in undercooked infected meat or by handling infected meat. Caribbean African green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) are present in large numbers on the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean, and it is not uncommon for these animals to be trapped and eaten by islanders. The aim of this study was to determine T. gondii infection in Caribbean African green monkeys. Findings Sera collected from 79 wild-caught Caribbean African green monkeys were examined for T. gondii antibodies by ELISA. Antibodies were detected in 38 out of 79 (48.1%) monkeys. Significantly more females were infected than males but there was no significant effect of age or location on antibody status. Conclusions Results indicate that Caribbean African green monkeys can be infected with T. gondii and that there is widespread environmental contamination of St. Kitts with oocysts. These monkeys could present a potential source of T. gondii infection if their meat is consumed undercooked. This is the first report of T. gondii antibodies in this species.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-014-0571-xToxoplasma gondiiVervet monkeyChlorocebus sabaeusSeroprevalenceSt. Kitts |
| spellingShingle | Clare M Hamilton Frank Katzer Amy Beierschmitt Esteban Soto Elisabeth A Innes Patrick J Kelly First report of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in wild-caught Caribbean African green monkeys Parasites & Vectors Toxoplasma gondii Vervet monkey Chlorocebus sabaeus Seroprevalence St. Kitts |
| title | First report of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in wild-caught Caribbean African green monkeys |
| title_full | First report of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in wild-caught Caribbean African green monkeys |
| title_fullStr | First report of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in wild-caught Caribbean African green monkeys |
| title_full_unstemmed | First report of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in wild-caught Caribbean African green monkeys |
| title_short | First report of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in wild-caught Caribbean African green monkeys |
| title_sort | first report of toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in wild caught caribbean african green monkeys |
| topic | Toxoplasma gondii Vervet monkey Chlorocebus sabaeus Seroprevalence St. Kitts |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-014-0571-x |
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