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Filariae are parasitic nematodes of high veterinary and medical importance, responsible for some acute tropical diseases. They are transmitted through the bite of hematophagous vectors such as biting midges and blackflies. Filariae are among the most prevalent vector-borne parasitoses in Neotropical primates in which severe infections can cause inflammatory reactions and tissue damage. Given the location inside the host (peritoneal cavity, bloodstream, and lymphatics), the detection of filariid nematodes is challenging and is mostly postmortem; hence the scarcity of studies on the prevalence of filariae in wild primate populations. Here, we report the prevalence of filariid infections in free-ranging populations of Geoffroy's spider (Ateles geoffroyi) and black howler (Alouatta pigra) monkeys across southern Mexico, using a combination of noninvasive sampling and molecular diagnostic techniques. Fecal samples were screened for filariid DNA by qPCR protocols. A total of 88 samples were examined with an overall prevalence of 26%. Filariae were slightly more common in spider monkeys compared to howler monkeys. This study constitutes the first report of the prevalence of infection of filariid nematodes in populations of wild spider monkey across southern Mexico, and the first reporting of filariae in black howler monkeys, as part of a new era of primate parasitology and the diagnostics of parasite infections in light of the everyday more affordable molecular tools.

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Neotropical primates rarely exhibit active tuberculosis. A brown howler monkey was found injured in an urban area. Histopathology revealed granulomatous inflammation in the lungs, lymph nodes, and liver. Immunohistochemistry and molecular analysis confirmed the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. The findings highlight the importance of TB surveillance in nonhuman primates.

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Studies of food preferences in captive primates have so far mainly been restricted to frugivorous species. It was therefore the aim of the present study to assess the occurrence of spontaneous food preferences in a mainly folivorous primate, the captive Southern brown howler monkey, and to analyze whether these preferences correlate with nutrient composition. Using a two-alternative choice test, we presented ten male and five female adult Alouatta guariba clamitans with all possible binary combinations of ten types of food that are part of their diet in captivity and recorded their choice behavior. We found the howler monkeys to display the following rank order of preference: banana > mango > watermelon > papaya > beetroot > apple > pear > orange > cucumber > tomato. This preference ranking significantly and positively correlated with the total carbohydrate content and with the sucrose content of the food items. We also found significant positive correlations between the food preference ranking and the content of the minerals copper and magnesium. Male and female howler monkeys did not differ significantly in their food preference rankings. These results suggest this howler monkeys under human care are not opportunistic, but selective feeders with regard to maximizing their net gain of energy as only the content of carbohydrates, but not the contents of total energy, proteins, or lipids significantly correlated with the displayed food preferences. Thus, the food preferences of this primate are similar to those reported in several species of frugivorous primates tested with cultivated fruits and vegetables.

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Transmission of herpesvirus between humans and non-human primates represents a serious potential threat to human health and endangered species conservation. This study aimed to identify herpesvirus genomes in samples of neotropical primates (NTPs) in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 242 NTPs, including Callithrix sp., Alouatta sp., Sapajus sp., and Callicebus sp., were evaluated by pan-herpesvirus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. Sixty-two (25.6%) samples containing genome segments representative of members of the family Herpesviridae, including 16.1% for Callitrichine gammaherpesvirus 3, 6.1% for Human alphaherpesvirus 1, 2.1% for Alouatta macconnelli cytomegalovirus, and 0.83% for Cebus albifrons lymphocryptovirus 1. No co-infections were detected. The detection of herpesvirus genomes was significantly higher among adult animals (p = 0.033) and those kept under human care (p = 0.008671). These findings confirm the importance of monitoring the occurrence of herpesviruses in NTP populations in epizootic events.

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Various animal models are used for research; however, non-human primates are well suited for biomedical research owing to their genetic homology with humans. The objective of this research was the anatomical characterization of red howler's kidneys in view of the scarcity of information in the literature. Protocols were approved by the Committee for Ethics in the Use of Animals at the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (number 018/2017). The study was conducted at the Laboratory of Teaching and Research in Domestic and Wild Animal Morphology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro. Specimens of Alouatta guariba clamitans were collected from the Serra dos Órgãos National Park road in Rio de Janeiro and subsequently frozen. Four adult cadavers (two males and two females) were used, identified, and injected with a 10% formaldehyde solution. Later, the specimens were dissected, and measurements and topography of the kidneys and renal vessels were recorded. The kidneys of A. g. clamitans resemble a "bean seed," with a smooth surface. The longitudinal section shows two distinct regions, cortical and medullary; in addition, the kidneys are unipyramidal. The renal arteries emerged from the abdominal aorta as a single vessel posterior to the renal veins. The renal veins drained directly into the caudal vena cava as a single vessel in all specimens.

Vários modelos animais são usados para pesquisa, no entanto, primatas não humanos são adequados para pesquisas biomédicas devido à sua homologia genética com humanos. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi a caracterização anatômica dos rins do Bugio, tendo em vista a escassez de informações na literatura. Os protocolos foram aprovados pelo Comitê de Ética no Uso de Animais da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (número 018/ 2017). O estudo foi realizado no Laboratório de Ensino e Pesquisa em Morfologia de Animais Domésticos e Silvestres da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro. Espécimes de Alouatta guariba clamitans foram coletados da estrada para o Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos no Rio de Janeiro, e posteriormente congelados. Foram utilizados quatro cadáveres adultos (dois machos e duas fêmeas), identificados e injetados com solução de formaldeído a 10%. Os rins de A. g. clamitans assemelham-se a uma "semente de feijão", com superfície lisa. Ao corte longitudinal apresenta duas regiões distintas, cortical e medular, além disso, apresenta-se unipiramidal. As artérias renais emergiram da aorta abdominal como um único vaso, posteriormente às veias renais. As veias renais drenaram diretamente para a veia cava caudal como um único vaso em todos os espécimes.

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RESUMEN El mono aullador rojo colombiano (A. seniculus) y mono aullador de manto (A. palliata) son representantes del género Alouatta en Colombia y, según análisis de la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (UICN), sus poblaciones tienden a decrecer por múltiples factores. Esto sugiere la necesidad de orientar acciones para su conservación, para ello se requiere conocimiento de sus dinámicas reproductivas como la identificación y caracterización del ciclo estral. Se examinaron documentos bajo los criterios Alouatta seniculus, Alouatta paliatta, Alouatta, ciclo estral y reproducción en Scielo, Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Wiley, Science Direct y SpringerLink. Se encontraron quince artículos, cuatro libros, cuatro tesis de maestría y una monografía; en estos estudios se abordaban aspectos sobre comportamientos sexuales, cambios en los genitales y medición de hormonas. Los estudios han establecido una duración promedio del ciclo para A. seniculus de 17 y de 29,5 ±1,5 días, lo que muestra un rango amplio en comparación con lo hallado para A. palliata, donde los estudios evidencian una duración de 16,3; 15,52 ±4,88 y 16,08 ±4,27 días. Se concluye que algunos aspectos comunes entre las especies son la estacionalidad de los nacimientos durante la época seca, la relevancia del rango social del macho en las solicitudes de cópula por parte de las hembras en estro y algunos comportamientos como el olfateo y el lamido de genitales durante la receptividad sexual. Asimismo, es necesario conducir estudios en las especies de Alouatta en Colombia que, además de abordar las dinámicas reproductivas, consideren la influencia de factores medioambientales y sociales sobre estas.

Abstract The Colombian red howler monkey (A. seniculus) and mantled howler monkey (A. palliata) are representatives of the genus Alouatta in Colombia and according to IUCN (for its name in Spanish) analysis their populations tend to decrease due to multiple factors. This suggests the need to guide actions for their conservation, which requires knowledge of their reproductive dynamics, such as the identification and characterization of the estrous cycle. Papers were examined under the criteria Alouatta seniculus, Alouatta paliatta, Alouatta, estrus cycle, and reproduction in Scielo, Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Wiley, Science Direct, and SpringerLink. 15 articles, 4 books, 4 master's theses and 1 monograph were found; these studies addressed aspects of sexual behaviors, changes in genitalia and hormone measurement. The studies have established an average cycle length for A. seniculus of 17 and 29.5 ±1.5 days, thus showing a wide range compared to what was found for A. palliata where the studies evidenced a cycle length of 16.3, 15.52 ±4.88 and 16.08 ±4.27 days. The conclusion is that some common aspects among the species are the seasonality of births during the dry season, the relevance of the male's social rank in copulation requests by females in estrus and some behaviors such as sniffing and genital licking during sexual receptivity. Likewise, it is necessary to conduct studies on Alouatta species in Colombia that not only address reproductive dynamics but also consider the influence of environmental and social factors on them.

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Background: In the routine care of non-human primates, ocular trauma is frequent, however, unlike the small animal clinic, the prevalence of corneal ulcers is not documented. Among the numerous therapeutic options available in dogs, blood serum is being increasingly used as an adjuvant treatment in these conditions, due to its tear-like properties. Based on this, the present study aims to describe a case of corneal ulcer in a southern brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans) attacked by a porcupine, and the use of heterologous serum obtained from an equine as an adjuvant treatment. Case: A southern brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans), which had been attacked by porcupine quills, was treated at a University Veterinary Hospital. During the clinical examination, the presence of blepharospasm and secretion in the right eye was noticed. The ophthalmological examination, through the fluorescein test, detected the presence of an extensive superficial corneal ulcer in the right eye. After removing the spines, the corneal ulcer was treated with tobramycin-based eye drops, 1% atropine sulfate eye drops, and serum from equine blood in the form of eye drops, as an adjuvant therapy. After 5 days of treatment, the fluorescein test was repeated, which was negative in both eyes due to complete healing of the lesion, and thus the treatment was concluded. Discussion: The scarcity of scientific literature on wild animals is one of the factors responsible for the difficulty in advancing clinical and surgical procedures in non-human primates. Corneal ulcers are characterized by the loss of corneal epithelium with exposure of the stroma. The main clinical treatments adopted include antimicrobial therapy, analgesics, lubricating agents, and antiprotease drugs. Widely used as an adjuvant therapy in corneal ulcers in small animals, blood serum presents some advantages, as it is rich in growth factors, vitamins, immunoglobulins, and anti-collagenolytic substances, in addition to being obtained for a low cost. Considering the aforementioned, in the case reported, it was decided to use blood serum obtained from an equine as an adjuvant treatment of the corneal ulcer in a southern brown howler monkey. Complete healing of the corneal ulcer was confirmed in just five days, contributing to the well-being of this animal and contributing to the evolution of ophthalmology in this species that is still poorly studied.

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Abstract Introduction: Wildlife hematological patterns are fundamental for health monitoring, and allows elucidating variations both within and between populations. Among these, hematological parameters are particularly valuable to evaluate the health status of neotropical primate species in the wild. Objective: To define hematological reference values for two species of monkeys in Costa Rica. Methods: During 2014, we collected blood samples from free-ranging mantled howler monkeys, Alouatta palliata (17 females, 18 males) and white-faced capuchin monkeys, Cebus imitator (5 females, 7 males) in seven localities of the Costa Rican Pacific coast. Results: For both species, the hematological values were higher in males, and howler monkey populations differed significantly except for platelets. Conclusions: These hematological values, which differ by sex and locality, will help evaluate the health status of these neotropical primate populations.

Resumen Introducción: Los patrones hematológicos de la vida silvestre son fundamentales para el monitoreo de la salud y permiten dilucidar las variaciones tanto dentro como entre poblaciones. Entre estos, los parámetros hematológicos son particularmente valiosos para evaluar el estado de salud de las especies de primates neotropicales en la naturaleza. Objetivo: Definir valores de referencia hematológicos para dos especies de monos en Costa Rica. Métodos: Durante el 2014 recolectamos muestras de sangre de monos aulladores de manto, Alouatta palliata (17 hembras, 18 machos) y monos capuchinos cariblancos, Cebus imitador (5 hembras, 7 machos) en siete localidades de la costa Pacífica de Costa Rica. Resultados: Para ambas especies, los valores hematológicos fueron mayores en los machos, y las poblaciones de monos aulladores difirieron significativamente con excepción de las plaquetas. Conclusiones: Estos valores hematológicos, que difieren según el sexo y la localidad, ayudarán a evaluar el estado de salud de estas poblaciones de primates neotropicales.

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Howler monkeys (Alouatta spp.) are threatened by anthropogenic pressures such as habitat fragmentation and deforestation, while conservation efforts are challenging to coordinate as natural geographic distribution ranges are the largest of any New World primate. On a One Health front, howler monkeys represent a great model to investigate the infectious disease dynamics between wild primates and humans as several infectious diseases affecting howlers have a demonstrated zoonotic potential. Howler monkey populations in professional care offer a window to investigate susceptibility to diseases in this species such as yellow fever (YF) and malaria, plus a myriad of endoparasite phyla, as well as vector-borne diseases such as Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. More studies are urgently needed to provide species-specific, medically relevant information as well as clinical descriptions of animals considered medically healthy. Moreover, howler monkeys are a challenging species to breed and maintain in professional care; additionally, reproductive parameters have been published only for a handful of species in this genus. On a One Health approach communication and collaborative health surveillance involving wildlife and zoo experts will ease the identification of factors that contribute to disease emergence facilitating the integration of human, animal, and environmental health. The One Welfare concept is based on the inextricable connection among animal welfare, human welfare, and environmental conservation. Integrating One Health and One Welfare into actions both in-situ and ex-situ will promote the sustainability of the forests and restoration of the ecosystems that those species inhabit, transitioning to a comprehensive One Conservation approach.

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From 2016 to 2019, Southeastern Brazil faced an outbreak of yellow fever (YF) affecting both humans and New World primates (NWP). The outbreak was associated with a marked increase in traumatic lesions in NWP in the affected regions. Non-thrombotic pulmonary embolization (NTPE) can be a consequence of massive traumatic events, and it is rarely reported in human and veterinary medicine. Here, we describe NTPE of the brain, liver, and bone marrow in free-ranging NWP, highlighting the epidemiological aspects of these findings and the lesions associated with this condition, including data on traumatic injuries in wild NWP populations during the course of a recent YF outbreak. A total of 1078 NWP were necropsied from January 2017 to July 2019. Gross traumatic injuries were observed in 444 marmosets (44.3%), 10 howler monkeys (23.2%), 9 capuchins (31.0%), 1 titi-monkey (50.0%), and 1 golden lion tamarin (33.3%). NTPE was observed in 10 animals, including 9 marmosets (2.0%) and 1 howler monkey (10.0%). NTPE was identified in the lung and comprised hepatic tissue in 1 case, brain tissue in 1 case, and bone marrow tissue in 8 cases. Although uncommon, it is important to consider NTPE with pulmonary vascular occlusion during the critical care of traumatized NWP. In addition, this study highlights the importance of conservational strategies and environmental education focusing on One Health, not only to protect these free-ranging NWP populations but also to maintain the efficacy of epidemiological surveillance programs.

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The basal nuclei are well-defined bodies of neurons with specific functions, located inside the white medullary center of the brain, directly involved with the motor system, participating greatly in the planning and control processes of movements. Studies on these nuclei in non-human primates are small and in the Alouatta belzebul species, nonexistent. The aim of the present study was to describe the morphology of the nuclei at the base of the brain of Alouatta belzebul. Ten male and female Alouatta belzebul brains were used, where after removal and coronal cut of the brain, the Mayland technique was performed to show the basal nuclei. There was the presence of the caudate nucleus, lentiform nucleus (this formed by the putamen, medial globus pallidus and lateral globus pallidus), claustrum and substantia nigra, which, functionally, are related to motor control. The substantia nigra is part of the midbrain and is also related to learning resulting from the effects of dopamine, responsible for activating the reward and addiction system in the telbrain and is also related to the red nucleus, which is also a midbrain nucleus. In Alouatta belzebul the red nucleus is present. It was found in the literature that degeneration of substantia nigra cells can cause Parkinson's disease in Macaca fasciculares, and because Alouatta belzebul has the same anatomical structures in the basal nuclei of the base of Macaca fasciculares, it is suggested that studies of functional evaluation of these structures should be carried out to verify whether Alouatta belzebul can be used as an experimental model for Parkinson's disease.

Os núcleos da base são corpos de neurônios, bem delimitados e com funções específicas, localizados no interior do centro medular branco do cérebro, envolvidos diretamente com o sistema motor, através de uma função moduladora dos movimentos, participando sobremaneira nos processos de planejamento e controle dos movimentos. Os estudos sobre estes núcleos em primatas são reduzidos e na espécie Alouatta belzebul, inexistente. O objetivo do presente estudo foi descrever a morfologia dos núcleos da base do encéfalo de Alouatta belzebul. Para tanto, foram utilizados dez encéfalos de Alouatta belzebul, machos e fêmeas, onde após a remoção e corte coronal do cérebro, realizou-se à técnica de Mayland para evidenciar os núcleos da base. Verificou-se a presença do núcleo caudado, núcleo lentiforme (este formado pelo putâmen, globo pálido medial e globo pálido lateral), claustro e substância negra, que, funcionalmente, estão relacionados com o controle motor. A substância negra faz parte do mesencéfalo e está ainda relacionada com a aprendizagem decorrentes dos efeitos da dopamina, responsável por ativar o sistema de recompensa e vício no telencéfalo e tem ainda, relação com o núcleo rubro que também é um núcleo do mesencéfalo. Em Alouatta belzebul o núcleo rubro está presente. Verificou-se na literatura que a degeneração de células da substância negra pode ocasionar a doença de Parkinson em Macaca fasciculares, e pelo fato do Alouatta belzebul apresentar as mesmas estruturas anatômicas dos núcleos da base do mesencéfalo de Macaca fasciculares, poderia ser utilizado como modelo experimental em estudos clínicos para a doença de Parkinson.

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Anthropogenic forest fragmentation impacts many aspects of animal behaviour, including feeding ecology. With forests increasingly fragmented in tropical regions due to human development, the proportion of forest edge (≤ 100 m from clear-cut regions) is higher relative to forest interior. Forest edges differ in vegetation from interior, making it important to better understand how anthropogenic edges impact the feeding behaviour of primates such as mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata). We predicted that howler monkeys would feed on higher-quality plant resources, from a larger number of tree families, and from larger trees in forest interior compared to anthropogenic forest edge. We surveyed howler monkey feeding behaviour across forest zones in a fragmented rainforest in Costa Rica, La Suerte Biological Research Station. We observed individual monkeys for 30-minute periods, collecting data on their feeding behaviour and tree use at 2-minute intervals. We measured feeding trees and recorded the plant parts and taxonomy of resources consumed. Monkeys consumed more leaves and fewer stems and fed from a smaller number of tree families in the forest interior, while they consumed fewer leaves and more stems and fed from a larger number of tree families in the forest edge. Monkeys also fed from larger, taller trees in the forest interior than the edge. The differences in howler monkey feeding behaviour between forest zones attest to the impact of human disturbance on howler monkey feeding ecology.

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The anatomy of the dura mater's venous sinuses is important in the veterinary clinical and surgical area, for cranial procedures and interventions of wild animals, in addition to assisting in the management of neurological diseases, which can prevent serious complications. The macroscopic anatomy of the venous sinuses of the dura mater of Alouatta belzebul was studied. Five adult specimens, males and females, were dissected and fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution. In the dura mater of the Alouatta belzebul, nine venous sinuses were observed, being them dorsal sagittal sinus, ventral sagittal sinus, transverse sinus, straight sinus, sigmoid sinus, temporal sinus, parietal sinus, basilar sinus and cavernous sinus, with morphological similarities in origin, path and destination of blood flow to the internal jugular vein, assisting in the venous drainage function of the brain in this species. These data are similar to those found in other species of non-human and human primates such as Saimiri sciureus, Sapajus libidinosus and Homo sapiens. Of the venous sinuses observed, the cavernous sinus was of considerable clinical and surgical importance in Alouatta belzebul due to its topographic arrangement next to the internal carotid artery and pituitary gland, data that corroborate Sapajus libidinosus, Macaca fascicularis, Macaca mulatta, Papio ursinus, Cercopithecus pygerithrus and Galago senegalensis. In this context, the knowledge of the macroscopic anatomy of the venous sinuses of the dura mater may contribute to the role of veterinarians in less invasive surgical procedures in non-human primates such as Alouatta belzebul and other mammals.

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BACKGROUND: Alouatta spp. are highly susceptible to yellow fever (YF) infection and develop an often fatal disease. The threat posed by an outbreak started in 2016 leads us to investigate vaccination as a potential tool in preventing YF in non-human primates (NHP). METHODS: Susceptible howler monkeys were immunized with three different concentrations of the human Brazilian commercial YF17DD vaccine. Post-vaccination viremia/RNAemia, immunogenicity, and safety were characterized. RESULTS: The vaccine did not produce YF clinical manifestations in any of the NHPs. After immunization, all animals seroconverted demonstrating the ability of the YF vaccine to induce humoral response in Alouatta species. CONCLUSIONS: The present work has demonstrated the safe and immunogenic profile of the existing YF 17DD vaccine in howler monkeys. This knowledge may support further studies with other susceptible monkey species and provide a possible solution for controlling epizootics and preventing the devastation of endangered species.

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ABSTRACT: The brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans) is a primate species widely distributed in South America. Infections by protozoa are common in primates. However, studies on protozoa in primates in Brazil are scarce, so the goal of this study was to investigate DNA from the apicomplexan protozoa Neospora caninum, Sarcocystis spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in tissues of A. guariba clamitans. DNA extraction was performed on tissue samples from the heart, brain, liver, spleen, lung and intestine of six A. guariba clamitans from Santa Maria, Central Region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Conventional PCR was performed using 18S rRNA gene general primers for Apicomplexa and also specific primers to amplify Neosporaspp. and Toxoplasma gondii DNA. All animals were positive in the 18S PCR and the genetic sequencing confirmed the presence of Sarcocystis spp. DNA in the tissues of four animals belonging to at least two species (S. neurona and S. gigantea) and T. gondii DNA in the other two animals. One positive sample for T. gondii was genotypically characterized as atypical by the restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. N. caninum DNA was not detected in the tested samples. The presence of Apicomplexa protozoan DNA in the tissues of the six animals tested in this study highlights the importance of howler monkeys as maintainers of these pathogens in nature.

RESUMO: O bugio ruivo (Alouatta guariba clamitans) é uma espécie de primata amplamente distribuída na América do Sul. As infecções por protozoários são comuns em primatas. Entretanto, estudos sobre protozoários em primatas no Brasil são escassos, portanto o objetivo deste estudo foi pesquisar DNA dos protozoários Apicomplexa Neospora caninum, Sarcocystisspp. e Toxoplasma gondii em tecidos de A. guariba clamitans. A extração de DNA foi realizada em amostras de tecido do coração, cérebro, fígado, baço, pulmão e intestino de seis A. guariba clamitans oriundos de Santa Maria, Região Central do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Foi realizada PCR convencional utilizando primers geral do gene 18S rRNA para Apicomplexa e também primers específicos para amplificação de DNA de Neospora spp.e Toxoplasma gondii. Todos os animais foram positivos no PCR geral para Apicomplexa e no sequenciamento genético confirmou-se a presença de DNA de Sarcocystis nos tecidos de quatro animais pertencentes a pelo menos duas espécies (S. neurona e S. gigantea), e DNA de T. gondii foi detectado nos outros dois animais. Uma amostra positiva para T. gondii foi caracterizada genotipicamente como atípico pela técnica de polimorfismo do comprimento do fragmento de restrição. Não foi detectado DNA de N. caninum nas amostras testadas. A presença de DNA de protozoários apicomplexa nos tecidos dos seis animais testados neste estudo destaca a importância dos bugios ruivos como mantenedores desses patógenos na natureza.

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The brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans) is a primate species widely distributed in South America. Infections by protozoa are common in primates. However, studies on protozoa in primates in Brazil are scarce, so the goal of this study was to investigate DNA from the apicomplexan protozoa Neospora caninum, Sarcocystis spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in tissues of A. guariba clamitans. DNA extraction was performed on tissue samples from the heart, brain, liver, spleen, lung and intestine of six A. guariba clamitans from Santa Maria, Central Region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Conventional PCR was performed using 18S rRNA gene general primers for Apicomplexa and also specific primers to amplify Neosporaspp. and Toxoplasma gondii DNA. All animals were positive in the 18S PCR and the genetic sequencing confirmed the presence of Sarcocystis spp. DNA in the tissues of four animals belonging to at least two species (S. neurona and S. gigantea) and T. gondii DNA in the other two animals. One positive sample for T. gondii was genotypically characterized as atypical by the restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. N. caninum DNA was not detected in the tested samples. The presence of Apicomplexa protozoan DNA in the tissues of the six animals tested in this study highlights the importance of howler monkeys as maintainers of these pathogens in nature.(AU)

O bugio ruivo (Alouatta guariba clamitans) é uma espécie de primata amplamente distribuída na América do Sul. As infecções por protozoários são comuns em primatas. Entretanto, estudos sobre protozoários em primatas no Brasil são escassos, portanto o objetivo deste estudo foi pesquisar DNA dos protozoários Apicomplexa Neospora caninum, Sarcocystisspp. e Toxoplasma gondii em tecidos de A. guariba clamitans. A extração de DNA foi realizada em amostras de tecido do coração, cérebro, fígado, baço, pulmão e intestino de seis A. guariba clamitans oriundos de Santa Maria, Região Central do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Foi realizada PCR convencional utilizando primers geral do gene 18S rRNA para Apicomplexa e também primers específicos para amplificação de DNA de Neospora spp.e Toxoplasma gondii. Todos os animais foram positivos no PCR geral para Apicomplexa e no sequenciamento genético confirmou-se a presença de DNA de Sarcocystis nos tecidos de quatro animais pertencentes a pelo menos duas espécies (S. neurona e S. gigantea), e DNA de T. gondii foi detectado nos outros dois animais. Uma amostra positiva para T. gondii foi caracterizada genotipicamente como atípico pela técnica de polimorfismo do comprimento do fragmento de restrição. Não foi detectado DNA de N. caninum nas amostras testadas. A presença de DNA de protozoários apicomplexa nos tecidos dos seis animais testados neste estudo destaca a importância dos bugios ruivos como mantenedores desses patógenos na natureza.(AU)

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RESUMO

The brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans) is a primate species widely distributed in South America. Infections by protozoa are common in primates. However, studies on protozoa in primates in Brazil are scarce, so the goal of this study was to investigate DNA from the apicomplexan protozoa Neospora caninum, Sarcocystis spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in tissues of A. guariba clamitans. DNA extraction was performed on tissue samples from the heart, brain, liver, spleen, lung and intestine of six A. guariba clamitans from Santa Maria, Central Region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Conventional PCR was performed using 18S rRNA gene general primers for Apicomplexa and also specific primers to amplify Neosporaspp. and Toxoplasma gondii DNA. All animals were positive in the 18S PCR and the genetic sequencing confirmed the presence of Sarcocystis spp. DNA in the tissues of four animals belonging to at least two species (S. neurona and S. gigantea) and T. gondii DNA in the other two animals. One positive sample for T. gondii was genotypically characterized as atypical by the restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. N. caninum DNA was not detected in the tested samples. The presence of Apicomplexa protozoan DNA in the tissues of the six animals tested in this study highlights the importance of howler monkeys as maintainers of these pathogens in nature.(AU)

O bugio ruivo (Alouatta guariba clamitans) é uma espécie de primata amplamente distribuída na América do Sul. As infecções por protozoários são comuns em primatas. Entretanto, estudos sobre protozoários em primatas no Brasil são escassos, portanto o objetivo deste estudo foi pesquisar DNA dos protozoários Apicomplexa Neospora caninum, Sarcocystisspp. e Toxoplasma gondii em tecidos de A. guariba clamitans. A extração de DNA foi realizada em amostras de tecido do coração, cérebro, fígado, baço, pulmão e intestino de seis A. guariba clamitans oriundos de Santa Maria, Região Central do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Foi realizada PCR convencional utilizando primers geral do gene 18S rRNA para Apicomplexa e também primers específicos para amplificação de DNA de Neospora spp.e Toxoplasma gondii. Todos os animais foram positivos no PCR geral para Apicomplexa e no sequenciamento genético confirmou-se a presença de DNA de Sarcocystis nos tecidos de quatro animais pertencentes a pelo menos duas espécies (S. neurona e S. gigantea), e DNA de T. gondii foi detectado nos outros dois animais. Uma amostra positiva para T. gondii foi caracterizada genotipicamente como atípico pela técnica de polimorfismo do comprimento do fragmento de restrição. Não foi detectado DNA de N. caninum nas amostras testadas. A presença de DNA de protozoários apicomplexa nos tecidos dos seis animais testados neste estudo destaca a importância dos bugios ruivos como mantenedores desses patógenos na natureza.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Alouatta guariba clamitans Cabrera, 1940 is an endemic species of the Atlantic Forest that occurs from south Bahia, Brazil, extending south to the province of Misiones, Argentina. In Rio de Janeiro state, the species was classified as threatened, indicating that attention is needed for the conservation of this taxon. Additionally, an outbreak of yellow fever spread throughout the southeastern states of Brazil from January 2017 until March 2018 seriously threatening Rio de Janeiro populations of the species. Herein, we aimed to provide the first estimates of A. g. clamitans encounter rate, density, and population size in the Ilha Grande State Park (PEIG), which is part of the Atlantic Forest biome of Brazil. Data were collected in two different periods, the first between December 2003 and May 2005, and the second from August 2009 to May 2010, and information on encounter rates and behavior was collected to better understand aspects of species ecology. The estimated encounter rate in the first period through the distance sampling method was 0.04 ± 0.01 individuals per kilometer. Nine groups were recorded in the second period of the study, with 47 individuals along 3 km. Our estimates of encounter rate, density and population size were low and reinforces the need to initiate species monitoring and assess the impact that yellow fever outbreaks may have on PEIG populations. The results presented here can be a starting point to support future strategic actions for the species, to measure impacts and to the management of the species, and for a conservation program.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Parasitological surveys of non-human primates provides an important opportunity to better understand the epidemiology, transmission dynamics and emergence risk of anthropozoonoses such as leishmaniasis, which affect human populations in several regions accross South America. Our study area, in northeastern Argentina, can be considered a southern marginal region for the presence of leishmaniases and includes the habitat of black and gold howler monkeys, Alouatta caraya. To evaluate if A. caraya serve as potential hosts in the Leishmania cycle, we used molecular methods to examine infection by Leishmania spp. in 109 howler monkeys of different ages captured between July and August 2010. External ear tissue samples were subjected to PCR amplification for the Leishmania ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) and a RFLP assay with the Hae III restriction enzyme, and finally confirmed by sequencing. Nine howler monkeys (8.3%) were infected with Le. braziliensis (2.8%), Le. amazonensis (2.8%) and/or Le. infantum (3.7%). The results also suggest a case of co-infection between Le. braziliensis and Le. amazonensis. Further, we report the first observation of Le. amazonensis in the northeastern region of Argentina. The detection of Leishmania spp. in free-ranging howler monkeys gives rise to questions about the actual prevalence of the parasite in the wild, as well as if the number of infected wild monkeys detected may present a risk of leishmaniasis emergence in surronding human populations. Anyway, the presence of Leishmania spp. in A. caraya suggests the possible importance of these monkeys in the sylvatic and periurban transmission.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Alouatta guariba clamitans Cabrera, 1940 is an endemic species of the Atlantic Forest that occurs from south Bahia, Brazil, extending south to the province of Misiones, Argentina. In Rio de Janeiro state, the species was classified as threatened, indicating that attention is needed for the conservation of this taxon. Additionally, an outbreak of yellow fever spread throughout the southeastern states of Brazil from January 2017 until March 2018 seriously threatening Rio de Janeiro populations of the species. Herein, we aimed to provide the first estimates of A. g. clamitans encounter rate, density, and population size in the Ilha Grande State Park (PEIG), which is part of the Atlantic Forest biome of Brazil. Data were collected in two different periods, the first between December 2003 and May 2005, and the second from August 2009 to May 2010, and information on encounter rates and behavior was collected to better understand aspects of species’ ecology. The estimated encounter rate in the first period through the distance sampling method was 0.04 ± 0.01 individuals per kilometer. Nine groups were recorded in the second period of the study, with 47 individuals along 3 km. Our estimates of encounter rate, density and population size were low and reinforces the need to initiate species monitoring and assess the impact that yellow fever outbreaks may have on PEIG populations. The results presented here can be a starting point to support future strategic actions for the species, to measure impacts and to the management of the species, and for a conservation program.

Assuntos