RESUMEN
Leptospirosis is a cosmopolitan zoonosis caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. Whether the distribution is worldwide, the hot and humid climate of the tropics is particularly conducive to its expansion. In most French overseas departments and territories, leptospirosis is considered as a public health problem. In French Guiana, a French department located in the northeastern part of the Amazon rainforest, it is supposed to be rare. The objective of this review was to make an inventory of the knowledge on human and animal leptospirosis in French Guiana and neighboring countries. A comprehensive search was conducted through the indexed and informal medical literature in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. Thus, respectively ten and four publications were identified on human and animal leptospirosis in French Guiana, published between 1940 and 1995 in the form of case reports or case series. The publications concerning this disease in the other countries of the Guiana Shield, eastern Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and Brazilian state of Amapá, also scarce or nonexistent. However recent data from the French National Centre of leptospirosis showed a recent and sudden increase in the number of cases in the department, probably partly due to the development of diagnostic tools such as Elisa IgM serology. It is likely that leptospirosis is a neglected disease in the region, due to the lack of diagnostic tools readily available, the lack of knowledge of the local clinicians on this disease and the existence of many other pathogens with similar clinical presentation such as malaria, arboviruses and Q fever and Amazonian toxoplasmosis. The establishment of more large-scale studies on animal and human leptospirosis is necessary and urgent to know the true burden of this disease in our region.
Asunto(s)
Leptospirosis/epidemiología , Adolescente , Adulto , Animales , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Guyana Francesa/epidemiología , Guyana/epidemiología , Humanos , América Latina/epidemiología , Malaria/epidemiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Embarazo , Complicaciones Infecciosas del Embarazo/epidemiología , Complicaciones Infecciosas del Embarazo/virología , Toxoplasmosis/epidemiología , Adulto Joven , Zoonosis/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
In French Guiana, severe cases of toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent patients are associated with atypical strains of Toxoplasma gondii linked to a wild neotropical rainforest cycle and a higher genetic diversity than usually observed for T. gondii isolates from anthropized environment. This raises the question of the impact of anthropization of the natural environment, on genetic diversity and on the population structure of T. gondii. However, few data are available on strains circulating in the anthropized areas from French Guiana. Seropositive animals originating mainly from anthropized sub-urban areas and punctually from wild environment in French Guiana were analyzed for T. gondii isolation and genotyping. Thirty-three strains were obtained by bioassay in mice and compared with 18 previously reported isolates chiefly originating from the Amazon rainforest. The genotyping analysis performed with 15 microsatellite markers located on 12 different chromosomes revealed a lower genetic diversity in the anthropized environment. Results were analyzed in terms of population structure by clustering methods, Neighbor-joining trees reconstruction based on genetic distances, F(ST,) Mantel's tests and linkage disequilibrium. They clearly showed a genetic differentiation between strains associated to the anthropized environment and those associated to the wild, but with some inbreeding between them. The majority of strains from the anthropized environment were clustered into additional lineages of T. gondii that are common in the Caribbean. In conclusion the two environmental populations "wild" and "anthropized" were genetically well differentiated. The anthropization of the environment seems to be accompanied with a decreased diversity of T. gondii associated with a greater structure of the populations. We detected potential interpenetration and genetic exchanges between these two environmental populations. As a higher pathogenicity in human of "wild" genotypes has been described, the interpenetration of both environments leads to hybridization between strains that may be at risk for human health.
Asunto(s)
Variación Genética , Toxoplasma/genética , Toxoplasmosis Animal/parasitología , Toxoplasmosis/parasitología , Animales , Teorema de Bayes , Análisis por Conglomerados , Guyana Francesa , Genotipo , Humanos , Ratones , Repeticiones de Microsatélite , Modelos Genéticos , Filogenia , Filogeografía , Polimorfismo Genético , Análisis de Componente Principal , Toxoplasma/clasificación , Vida SilvestreRESUMEN
A serological survey for yellow fever virus (YFV), dengue 2 virus (DENV-2), and St Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) was undertaken using a seroneutralization technique in 27 wild forest mammal species (574 individuals) in French Guiana. Evidence of yellow fever infection was observed in 10 species, with high prevalence recorded in howler monkey (18%) and agouti (20%). Antibodies against DENV-2 and SLEV were found sporadically in various species. This potential host diversity and the range of potential vectors might explain the behaviour of the viruses in epidemic outbreaks and the emergence of periurban loci.
Asunto(s)
Animales Salvajes/virología , Dengue/virología , Reservorios de Enfermedades , Encefalitis de San Luis/virología , Mamíferos/virología , Fiebre Amarilla/virología , Animales , Anticuerpos Antivirales/sangre , Dengue/epidemiología , Virus del Dengue/aislamiento & purificación , Reservorios de Enfermedades/estadística & datos numéricos , Reservorios de Enfermedades/veterinaria , Virus de la Encefalitis de San Luis/aislamiento & purificación , Encefalitis de San Luis/epidemiología , Guyana Francesa/epidemiología , Humanos , Prevalencia , Árboles , Fiebre Amarilla/epidemiología , Virus de la Fiebre Amarilla/aislamiento & purificaciónRESUMEN
The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of Toxoplasma infection in wild mammals, particularly noncarnivorous species, and to identify possible sources of infection for humans. A serological study was conducted that included 310 animals representing 10 species of terrestrial mammals from the same region (primary tropical rain forest inhabited by humans). Toxoplasmosis was diagnosed using a direct agglutination test using formalin-treated Toxoplasma gondii. The prevalence of antibodies for toxoplasmosis differed greatly between species and ranged from 0% to 62%. The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was zero or very low for tree-dwelling animals, which included sloth, porcupine, and howler monkey. Conversely, the prevalence of infection was 46-62% among granivores, insectivores, and burrowing animals, such as peccary, paca, and armadillo. We conclude that wild mammals in French Guiana constitute a reservoir of T. gondii parasites. Given the absence of domestic cats from the forest, noncarnivorous species may be infected by the ingestion of oocysts that are eliminated into the soil or water in the stools of wild cats and then dispersed.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos Antiprotozoarios/sangre , Reservorios de Enfermedades/veterinaria , Mamíferos/parasitología , Toxoplasma/inmunología , Toxoplasmosis Animal/epidemiología , Pruebas de Aglutinación/veterinaria , Animales , Animales Salvajes , Femenino , Guyana Francesa/epidemiología , Masculino , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , Especificidad de la EspecieRESUMEN
Among over 40 mammal species threatened by the filling of a hydroelectric dam reservoir in French Guiana, three species of primates have been translocated, comprising 124 red howler monkeys, six white-faced sakis, and 95 golden-handed tamarins. Health status of the animals was evaluated by direct physical examination and by hematological, biochemical, virological, and parasitological surveys of collected blood. The physical condition of the howlers was slightly worse toward the end of the capture period, but that of sakis and tamarins remained satisfactory. Several ectoparasites (ticks, larvae of dipterous insects, fleas, and lice) were collected, and various wounds, apparently nondebilitating, were recorded in howlers. Hematological and biochemical profiles determined for the three species revealed a slight anemia in howlers. Entamoeba, Strongyloides, and Trypanoxyurus were common in fecal samples of howlers. A survey of blood smears from the three species revealed infection by several types of microfilaria, Trypanosoma rangeli-like and Plasmodium brasilianum in all three, and Trypanosoma cruzi-like in howlers. These infections had no significant impact on the health status or the hematological profiles. Serologic investigations revealed occasional reactions against Toxoplasma gondii, a strong anti-Plasmodium response in the two Cebidae species, and a weaker one in tamarins. Attempts to isolate arbovirus failed, but antibody responses to Mayaro and yellow fever viruses were strong, especially in the howlers. A strong correlation between age and serological status led to a better understanding of the epidemic cycles. Our survey indicates French Guianan primates are reservoirs for several anthropozoonoses, including malaria, Chagas disease, and arboviruses.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades de los Animales/epidemiología , Conservación de los Recursos Naturales , Reservorios de Enfermedades/veterinaria , Primates/fisiología , Animales , Dieta , Femenino , Guyana Francesa/epidemiología , Estado de Salud , Incidencia , Masculino , Movimiento , Primates/parasitología , ZoonosisRESUMEN
Blood smears of 1,353 free-ranging mammals (35 species) and 112 reptiles (31 species) from French Guiana were examined for hemoparasites. Parasites from 3 major groups were recorded: Apicomplexa (including hemogregarines, piroplasms, and Plasmodium spp.), Trypanosomatidae, and Filaroidea. Fifty percent of the individuals (86% of the species) were infected by parasites from at least 1 group. Hemogregarines, identified as Hepatozoon sp., infected numerous snakes with high prevalences (30-100%); infection is reported for the first time in 5 host genera of snakes: Clelia, Oxybelis, Pseustes, Rhinobotryum, and Bothriopsis. Infections were also observed in 4 marsupial species and 1 rodent. Hepatozoon spp. recorded in Didelphis albiventris (Marsupialia) and Coendou prehensilis (Rodentia) may be new species. Plasmodium sp. were observed in 2 snake species, Dipsas indica (Colubridae) and Bothrops atrox (Viperidae). Plasmodium brasilianum was recorded in all 5 primate species examined. Piroplasms were observed in all mammal orders except primates. Large terrestrial rodents were the main hosts of members of the Babesidae; 42% of Myoprocta acouchy, 36% of Dasyprocta agouti, and 44% of Agouti paca were infected. Trypanosomes were common in mammals and were recorded in 70% of the examined genera. Trypanosoma cruzi-like infections were reported in 21 mammal species, including sloths, rodents, carnivores, and primates. Microfilariae were also widespread, with higher prevalences in sloths, anteaters, and porcupines (>40% of the individuals infected) and in tamarins (95% infected). This survey highlights some potential anthropozoonotic risks due to the recent further evidence of Plasmodium brasilianum and P. malariae as a single species and to the increased diversity of hosts for Trypanosoma cruzi.
Asunto(s)
Mamíferos/parasitología , Enfermedades Parasitarias en Animales/epidemiología , Enfermedades Parasitarias en Animales/parasitología , Reptiles/parasitología , Animales , Apicomplexa/clasificación , Apicomplexa/aislamiento & purificación , Recolección de Muestras de Sangre/métodos , Filarioidea/clasificación , Filarioidea/aislamiento & purificación , Guyana Francesa/epidemiología , Mamíferos/clasificación , Parasitemia/epidemiología , Parasitemia/parasitología , Parasitemia/veterinaria , Reptiles/clasificación , Trypanosomatina/clasificación , Trypanosomatina/aislamiento & purificaciónRESUMEN
Monkey blood samples were collected from 214 monkeys relocated as part of the wildlife rescue organized in French Guiana during the filling of the Petit Saut Dam on the Sinnamary River. These samples were tested for malaria parasites by microscopy of thick blood filsm and by nested PCR for small subunit rRNA genes (SSUrRNA). Parasitic blood forms similar to Plasmodium brasilianum were detected in 4 monkey species: Alouatta seniculus macconnelli, Saguinus midas midas, Pithecia pithecia and Ateles paniscus paniscus, with the highest prevalence in Alouatta monkeys. PCR was more sensitive than the conventional method for detecting low-grade parasitaemia in positive monkeys. The examination of blood films indicated that 5.6% of the animals carried parasites whereas the nested PCR for ribosomal DNA indicated a prevalence of 11.3%. The P. brasilianum SSUrRNA gene sequence was analysed and aligned with those from P. malariae, P. falciparum and P. vivax. This suggested that P. brasilianum and P. malariae are very closely related. Similar results were obtained from analysis of the sequences in P. malariae and P. brasilianum isolates of a polymorphic gene fragment analogous to the merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1) gene of P. falciparum. The P. brasilianum/P. malariae sequences were more similar to those of P. vivax than to those of P. falciparum, at least in the gene region examined. The high degree of DNA homology in the sequences of the SSUrRNA and msp1-like genes is consistent with other characterizations demonstrating a taxonomic relationship between P. brasilianum and P. malariae species. Our results provide further evidence that P. brasilianum and P. malariae are virtually identical and should probably be considered to be a single malaria species. This raises the question as to whether monkeys living in the rainforest are natural reservoirs for both simian and human malaria. These results have implications for the interpretation of the current epidemiological situation in French Guiana.
Asunto(s)
Cebidae/parasitología , Reservorios de Enfermedades/veterinaria , Malaria/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Monos/epidemiología , Plasmodium malariae/aislamiento & purificación , Plasmodium/aislamiento & purificación , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Animales , Secuencia de Bases , Cartilla de ADN/química , ADN Protozoario/química , ADN Protozoario/aislamiento & purificación , Guyana Francesa/epidemiología , Malaria/epidemiología , Proteína 1 de Superficie de Merozoito/genética , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Enfermedades de los Monos/parasitología , Plasmodium/química , Plasmodium/genética , Plasmodium malariae/química , Plasmodium malariae/genética , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/veterinaria , Prevalencia , Alineación de Secuencia , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN , Homología de Secuencia de Aminoácido , Homología de Secuencia de Ácido Nucleico , Clima TropicalAsunto(s)
Animales Salvajes/parasitología , Mamíferos/parasitología , Enfermedades Parasitarias en Animales/epidemiología , Enfermedades Parasitarias/epidemiología , Animales , Enfermedad de Chagas/transmisión , Reservorios de Enfermedades , Guyana Francesa/epidemiología , Humanos , Insectos Vectores , Parasitosis Intestinales/transmisión , Leishmaniasis Cutánea/transmisión , Parasitosis Hepáticas/transmisión , Malaria/transmisión , Enfermedades Parasitarias/transmisión , Enfermedades Parasitarias en Animales/transmisión , ZoonosisRESUMEN
Free-ranging southern two-toed sloths (Choloepus didactylus) were translocated during the flooding of a forest at a hydroelectric dam site in French Guiana. Over an 11 mo period blood samples were collected from 90 sloths (38 males, 52 females) in order to determine hematological and serum chemistry reference values. Mean values and range of values were calculated for 13 hematological and 21 serum chemistry parameters. Variations associated with sex, age and reproductive status were identified. Males had a significantly lower red blood cell count than females. Immature animals had more monocytes while adults had more neutrophils and higher mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. Aspartate aminotransferase and triglyceride values were higher in young than in adult sloths but uric acid was lower. Lactating females showed lower red blood cells count and iron levels than non-lactating females. These profiles will help to provide reliable baseline data for medical evaluation of sloths.
Asunto(s)
Animales Salvajes/sangre , Perezosos/sangre , Animales , Análisis Químico de la Sangre/veterinaria , Femenino , Guyana Francesa , Pruebas Hematológicas/veterinaria , Masculino , Valores de ReferenciaRESUMEN
One hundred twenty-two wild red howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus) were translocated during flooding of the forest at a hydroelectric dam site in French Guiana. Blood samples from 103 animals were evaluated for 13 hematologic and/or 22 serum chemistry parameters. Significant age-specific variation was found for white blood cell (WBC), lymphocyte, and platelet counts and for alkaline phosphatase values. Adult males and females had significant differences in red blood cell count, packed cell volume, and hemoglobin, creatinine, cholesterol, and calcium values. In juveniles, amylase and cholesterol levels were significantly lower in males than in females. Significant differences associated with reproductive status were also observed; i.e., lower cholesterol level in pregnant females and higher packed cell volume in lactating females. Chronic stress due to habitat disappearance may have been responsible for significant differences between thin animals and those in good condition. Thin animals had lower WBC, eosinophil, basophil, and monocyte counts and higher platelet counts. Capture stress was probably responsible for high and variable levels of creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase.
Asunto(s)
Alouatta/sangre , Animales Salvajes/sangre , Factores de Edad , Animales , Análisis Químico de la Sangre/veterinaria , Femenino , Guyana Francesa , Pruebas Hematológicas/veterinaria , Masculino , Embarazo , Valores de Referencia , Factores SexualesRESUMEN
This paper reports the first isolation of Mayaro (MAY) virus from a patient infected in French Guiana. The identification was initially performed using immunofluorescent antibody testing with specific mouse antibody, and confirmed by plaque-reduction neutralization testing and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. To determine if MAY virus infection is widespread in French Guiana, a serosurvey was performed to determine the prevalence of antibody to this virus in various ethnic groups and areas of French Guiana. Human sera (n = 1,962) were screened using the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. To determine whether MAY virus circulates in the rain forest, a serosurvey in monkey populations was performed. Monkey sera (n = 150) were also screened for antibody to MAY virus using HI testing. Of the human sera tested, 6.3% were positive for anti-MAY virus antibodies. Significant differences in MAY virus seroprevalence between different age groups were observed. Seroprevalence rates increased with age, with a large increase in people 10-19 years of age in comparison with those less than 10 years of age. After adjustment for age, significant differences were also found between places of residence. The prevalence of anti-MAY virus antibody was higher in people living in contact with the forest, especially in the Haut Oyapock area (odds ratio [OR] = 97.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 48.2-197.9) and along the Maroni River (OR = 39.7, 95% CI = 20.6-76.6). The ethnic differences observed in this study were probably due to differences in residence. Among monkeys, higher seroprevalence rates were found in Alouatta seniculus (66.0%) than in Saguinus midas (18.2%). Among Alouatta, the seroprevalence increased significantly with weight (and therefore with age). This study indicates that MAY virus is present in French Guiana, and human infections occur in areas where people live near the tropical rain forest.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por Alphavirus/epidemiología , Alphavirus/aislamiento & purificación , Anticuerpos Antivirales/sangre , Enfermedades de los Monos/epidemiología , Adolescente , Adulto , Distribución por Edad , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Alouatta , Alphavirus/genética , Alphavirus/inmunología , Animales , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Técnica del Anticuerpo Fluorescente , Guyana Francesa/epidemiología , Pruebas de Inhibición de Hemaglutinación , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pruebas de Neutralización , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Prevalencia , SaguinusRESUMEN
Immobilization was studied in 202 free-ranging two-toed sloths (Choloepus didactylus). All the sloths were in good condition with a body weight > 2 kg, and were anesthetized for a variety of minor clinical procedures. Intramuscular anesthetic combinations included 0.1 mg/kg acepromazine + 10 mg/kg ketamine (A/K, n = 30), 1 mg/kg xylazine + 10 mg/kg ketamine (X/K, n = 89), 10 mg/kg tiletamine/zolazepam (T/Z, n = 37), and 0.04 mg/kg medetomidine + 3 mg/kg ketamine (M/K, n = 46) antagonized by 0.2 mg/kg atipamezole. The animals were quiet during the induction stage and complete recumbency was reached in (mean +/- SD) 2.5 +/- 2.0 min with A/K, 2.7 +/- 1.7 min with X/K, 1.8 +/- 0.6 min with T/Z, and 2.5 +/- 5 with M/K. Utilization of A/K was not satisfactory because of poor anesthetic level and lack of muscle relaxation. T/Z induced immobilization was characterized by deep anesthesia and good myorelaxation, but often was associated with irregular respiration and low relative oxyhemoglobin saturation values (SpO2). Ketamine in combination with alpha2-agonists, xylazine or medetomidine, provided suitable anesthesia, with good to excellent muscular relaxation, good analgesia, high SpO2 values, moderate bradycardia, but strong bradypnea with medetomidine. Anesthesia with M/K was reversed after 41.6 min of immobilization with atipamezole. Calm recoveries were obtained and the animals were able to hang up after 10.0 +/- 7.9 min. The first signs of arousal were observed within an average of 43 to 51 min after the injection of the three other combinations. Recoveries from X/K immobilization were quiet; sloths held on after 34 min. With T/Z, recovery duration was long and very irregular at 76.7 +/- 31.3 min, some animals required 3 hr before being able to hang up. Finally, ketamine in association with an alpha2-agonist appeared to give the best chemical immobilization in wild two-toed sloths for 40 min procedures including minor surgery.