Olive baboons (Papio anubis) as a vector and/or reservoir of intestinal parasites in the Budongo Forest, Uganda

Ing. MSc. Daniel Sempebwa, BSc (Hons)

Diplomová práce

Abstract:

Studying primate health at the human-wildlife interface is crucial for conservation, public health, and understanding disease ecology. This study aimed to assess the role of olive baboons (Papio anubis) in the epidemiology of intestinal parasites found in great apes in the Budongo Forest Reserve in western Uganda. Seventy-nine faecal samples were collected from two troops of baboons ranging either in a forest or a village in November and December 2022. The collected samples revealed nine different parasite taxa, of which two were protozoans (Buxtonella-like sp. and Entamoeba spp.), two cestodes (Bertiella sp. and an unidentified Hymenolepid cestode), and five nematodes (Strongyloides, strongylids, Trichuris, Enterobius, and Capillaria). Trichuris had the highest prevalence (89.9%), followed by Strongyloides (67.1%), and Enterobius (6.3%) had the lowest prevalence among nematodes. Entamoeba spp. were found in 68.4% of the samples, vestibuliferid ciliates in 27.9% of the samples. For cestodes, Bertiella had a prevalence of 2.5%. Bertiella and Capillaria were recorded only in the forest troop, while Buxtonella-like sp. and Enterobius were recorded only in the village troop. Using quantitative real-time PCR, Strongyloides was detected in 58 samples while 53 samples tested positive for Strongyloides on sedimentation. Analysis of the hypervariable region IV of the gene for 18S rRNA (HVR-IV) in a subset of samples confirmed presence of Strongyloides fuelleborni which was identical in baboons and chimpanzees. Ribosomal DNA analysis showed that baboons hosted different entodiniomorphid ciliates than chimpanzees., specifically Buxtonella-like sp. was only found in baboons, while Troglodytella abrassarti was only found in chimpanzees. Buxtonella-like sp. sequences were related to those found in mandrills, Barbary macaques, and baboons from different countries. Strongyloides, Trichuris, Enterobius, and Entamoeba were identified as potentially zoonotic parasites carried by baboons in Budongo. Baboons can impact the transmission of parasites between humans and wildlife. To implement appropriate management strategies, it is important to assess the understanding of disease transmission among people living on the edges of forests.

Keywords

Olive Baboons, Intestinal Parasites, Reservoir, Vector

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 16. 9. 2024

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Obhajoba proběhla 12. 9. 2024
• Vedoucí: MVDr. Barbora Červená, Ph.D.
• Oponent: Jana Doležalová, externi

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Fakulta tropického zemědělství

Magisterský studijní program / specializace:
Wildlife and Livestock Production, Management and Conservation / Wildlife Management and Conservation