Occurrence and genetic diversity of protist parasites in captive non-human primates, zookeepers, and free-living sympatric rats in the Córdoba Zoo Conservation Centre, southern Spain

Authors: KOSTER, PAMELA - Instituto De Salud Carlos Iii; DASHTI, ALEJANDRO - Instituto De Salud Carlos Iii; BAILO, BEGONA - Instituto De Salud Carlos Iii; MUADICA, ALY - Instituto De Salud Carlos Iii; Maloney, Jenny; Santin-Duran, Monica; CHICHARRO, CARMEN - Instituto De Salud Carlos Iii; MIGUELANEZ, SILVIA - Instituto De Salud Carlos Iii; NIETO, FRANCISCO - Instituto De Salud Carlos Iii; CANO-TERRIZA, DAVID - Universidad De Cordoba; GARCIA-BOCANEGRA, IGNACIO - Universidad De Cordoba; GUERRA, RAFAEL - University Of Cordoba; PONCE-GORDO, FRANCISCO - University Of Madrid; CALERO-BERNAL, RAFAEL - University Of Madrid

Submitted to: Animals
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/27/2021
Publication Date: 3/5/2021
Citation: Koster, P., Dashti, A., Bailo, B., Muadica, A.S., Maloney, J.G., Santin, M., Chicharro, C., Miguelanez, S., Nieto, F.J., Cano-Terriza, D., Garcia-Bocanegra, I., Guerra, R., Ponce-Gordo, F., Calero-Bernal, R. 2021. Occurrence and genetic diversity of protist parasites in captive non-human primates, zookeepers, and free-living sympatric rats in the Córdoba Zoo Conservation Centre, southern Spain. Animals. 11(3):700. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030700.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030700

Interpretive Summary: Little information is currently available on the epidemiology of parasitic and commensal protist species in captive non-human primates (NHP) and their zoonotic potential. This study investigates the occurrence, molecular diversity, and potential transmission dynamics of parasitic and commensal protist species in a zoological garden in southern Spain. The prevalence and genotypes of the main enteric protist species were investigated in faecal samples from NHP, zookeepers and free-living rats by molecular (PCR and sequencing) methods. A high prevalence of the diarrhoea-causing protists G. duodenalis and Blastocystis sp. (but not Cryptosporidium spp.) was observed in captive NHP at the Córdoba Zoo Conservation Centre. NHP can harbour zoonotic genotypes of G. duodenalis, Blastocystis sp., and E. bieneusi. Indeed, a strong evidence of the occurrence of Blastocystis zoonotic transmission between NHP and their handlers was provided, despite the use of personal protective equipment and the implementation of strict health and safety protocols. Free-living sympatric rats were also tested. They are infected by host-specific species/genotypes of the investigated protists and seem to play a limited role as source of infections to NHP or humans in this setting. This information will be useful to other scientists, veterinarians, and public health agencies in understanding the current status of taxonomy, epidemiology, and public health importance of zoonotic parasites.

Technical Abstract: Little information is currently available on the epidemiology of parasitic and commensal protist species in captive non-human primates (NHP) and their zoonotic potential. This study investigates the occurrence, molecular diversity, and potential transmission dynamics of parasitic and commensal protist species in a zoological garden in southern Spain. The prevalence and genotypes of the main enteric protist species were investigated in faecal samples from NHP (n = 51), zookeepers (n = 19) and free-living rats (n = 64) by molecular (PCR and sequencing) methods between 2018'2019. The presence of Leishmania spp. was also in-vestigated in tissues from sympatric rats using PCR. Blastocystis sp. (45.1%), Entamoeba dispar (27.5%), Giardia duodenalis (21.6%), Balantioides coli (3.9%), and Enterocytozoon bieneusi (2.0%) were detected in NHP. Giardia duodenalis (10.5%) and Blastocystis sp. (10.5%) were identified in zookeepers, while Cryptosporidium spp. (45.3%), G. duodenalis (14.1%), and Blastocystis sp. (6.25%) were detected in rats. Blastocystis ST1, ST3, and ST8 and G. duodenalis sub-assemblage AII were identified in NHP, and Blastocystis ST1 in zookeepers. In rats, four Cryptosporidium (C. muris, C. ratti, and rat genotypes IV and V), one G. duodenalis (assemblage G), and three Blastocystis (ST4) genetic variants were detected. Our results indicate high exposure of NHP to zoonotic protist species. Zoonotic transmission of Blastocysts ST1 was highly suspected be-tween captive NHP and zookeepers.