scholarly journals Social contact behaviors are associated with infection status for whipworm (Trichuris sp.) in wild vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandi Wren ◽  
Ian S. Ray ◽  
Melissa Remis ◽  
Thomas R. Gillespie ◽  
Joseph Camp
Keyword(s):  
Direct Contact ◽  
Sickness Behavior ◽  
Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Vervet Monkeys ◽  
Infection Status ◽  
Social Grooming ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Chlorocebus Pygerythrus

AbstractSocial grooming in the animal kingdom is common and serves several functions, from removing ectoparasites to maintaining social bonds between conspecifics. We examined whether time spent grooming with others in a highly social mammal species was associated with infection status for gastrointestinal parasites. Of six parasites detected, one (Trichuris sp.) was associated with social grooming behaviors, but more specifically with direct physical contact with others. Individuals infected with Trichuris sp. spent significantly less time grooming conspecifics than those not infected, and time in direct contact with others was the major predictor of infection status. One model correctly predicted infection status for Trichuris sp. with a reliability of 95.17% overall when the variables used were time spent in direct contact and time spent grooming others. This decrease in time spent grooming and interacting with others is likely a sickness behavior displayed by individuals with less energy or motivation for non-essential behaviors. This study highlights the need for an understanding of a study population’s parasitic infections when attempting to interpret animal behavior.

scholarly journals Social contact behaviors are associated with infection status for Trichuris sp. in wild vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus)

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0240872
Author(s):  
Brandi Wren ◽  
Ian S. Ray ◽  
Melissa Remis ◽  
Thomas R. Gillespie ◽  
Joseph Camp
Keyword(s):  
Direct Contact ◽  
Sickness Behavior ◽  
Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Vervet Monkeys ◽  
Infection Status ◽  
Social Grooming ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Chlorocebus Pygerythrus

Social grooming in the animal kingdom is common and serves several functions, from removing ectoparasites to maintaining social bonds between conspecifics. We examined whether time spent grooming with others in a highly social mammal species was associated with infection status for gastrointestinal parasites. Of six parasites detected, one (Trichuris sp.) was associated with social grooming behaviors, but more specifically with direct physical contact with others. Individuals infected with Trichuris sp. spent significantly less time grooming conspecifics than those not infected, and time in direct contact with others was the major predictor of infection status. One model correctly predicted infection status for Trichuris sp. with a reliability of 95.17% overall when the variables used were time spent in direct contact and time spent grooming others. This decrease in time spent grooming and interacting with others is likely a sickness behavior displayed by individuals with less energy or motivation for non-essential behaviors. This study emphasizes the possible links between host behavior and parasitic infections and highlights the need for an understanding of a study population’s parasitic infections when attempting to interpret animal behavior.

Fevers and the social costs of acute infection in wild vervet monkeys

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (44) ◽  
pp. e2107881118
Author(s):  
Richard McFarland ◽  
S. Peter Henzi ◽  
Louise Barrett ◽  
Tyler Bonnell ◽  
Andrea Fuller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Temperature ◽  
Core Body Temperature ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Sickness Behavior ◽  
Vervet Monkeys ◽  
Chlorocebus Pygerythrus ◽  
Data Loggers ◽  
The Social ◽  
Sickness Behaviors ◽  
Group Members

Fevers are considered an adaptive response by the host to infection. For gregarious animals, however, fever and the associated sickness behaviors may signal a temporary loss of capacity, offering other group members competitive opportunities. We implanted wild vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) with miniature data loggers to obtain continuous measurements of core body temperature. We detected 128 fevers in 43 monkeys, totaling 776 fever-days over a 6-year period. Fevers were characterized by a persistent elevation in mean and minimum 24-h body temperature of at least 0.5 °C. Corresponding behavioral data indicated that febrile monkeys spent more time resting and less time feeding, consistent with the known sickness behaviors of lethargy and anorexia, respectively. We found no evidence that fevers influenced the time individuals spent socializing with conspecifics, suggesting social transmission of infection within a group is likely. Notably, febrile monkeys were targeted with twice as much aggression from their conspecifics and were six times more likely to become injured compared to afebrile monkeys. Our results suggest that sickness behavior, together with its agonistic consequences, can carry meaningful costs for highly gregarious mammals. The degree to which social factors modulate the welfare of infected animals is an important aspect to consider when attempting to understand the ecological implications of disease.

Gastrointestinal Parasites of Vervet Monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) in a High Latitude, Semi-Arid Region of South Africa

10.1645/19-19 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 630
Author(s):  
Rosemary Blersch ◽  
Colleen Archer ◽  
Essa Suleman ◽  
Christopher Young ◽  
Duodané Kindler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
High Latitude ◽  
Arid Region ◽  
Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽  
Vervet Monkeys ◽  
Chlorocebus Pygerythrus ◽  
Semi Arid Region ◽  
Semi Arid

scholarly journals Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in free-range yaks (Bos grunniens) in Gansu Province, Northwest China

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Si-Yuan Qin ◽  
Ming-Yang Yin ◽  
Guang-Yao Song ◽  
Qi-Dong Tan ◽  
Jin-Lei Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Northwest China ◽  
Gansu Province ◽  
Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Cattle Industry ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Bos Grunniens ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Different Seasons

Abstract Background Little information about the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in yaks (Bos grunniens) in northwest China is available. Therefore, the objective of the study was to quantify faecal egg counts of gastrointestinal parasites (helminths and coccidia) in free-range yaks from Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, Northwest China. Results Parasites were detected in 290 of 733 (39.56%) faecal samples. The results showed that Strongylidae, Trichuris spp. and Eimeria spp. were detected all year round, Strongyloides papillosus was detected in autumn and summer, and Nematodirus spp. was detected in both autumn and spring. In contrast, Fasciola spp. was only detected in spring. The prevalence rates of parasitic infections in different seasons were significantly different. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first investigation of gastrointestinal parasites in yaks (Bos grunniens) in Gansu, China. The results demonstrated a high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections, specifically GN infections, in yaks in GTAP and these infections can cause economic losses to the local cattle industry.

scholarly journals Multiple anthelmintic resistance in Southern Brazil sheep flocks

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 427-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Plínio Aguiar de Oliveira ◽  
Beatriz Riet-Correa ◽  
Pablo Estima-Silva ◽  
Ana Carolina Barreto Coelho ◽  
Bianca Lemos dos Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anthelmintic Resistance ◽  
Rio Grande ◽  
Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽  
Southern Region ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Parasite Control ◽  
Rio Grande Do Sul ◽  
Parasitic Resistance ◽  
The Common

Abstract Gastrointestinal parasites represent an important cause of reduced productivity of sheep worldwide. As anthelmintic are still the main control tool for these parasites, this work evaluated the efficacy of commercially available active principles in 22 sheep flocks in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In each farm 10 sheep were randomly distributed in seven groups with the following treatments: abamectin; albendazole; closantel; levamisole; monepantel; trichlorphon and no anthelmintic (control). All flocks showed resistance to at least three anthelmintics and in 20 farms only two products demonstrated efficacy for parasitic control. In two farms, there was no susceptibility to the six active principles tested. The results of this study provide evidence that the common commercially available anthelmintic are not assuring effective chemical control of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in ovine flocks in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul. Monepantel, the newest introduced drug in the Brazilian market was not effective in 18% of the flocks tested, confirming that the parasitic resistance can be established quickly after the introduction of new molecules mainly when alternative program of parasite control is not performed.

scholarly journals Endoparasite Infections of the European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in Central Italy

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3171
Author(s):  
Alessia Mariacher ◽  
Andrea Santini ◽  
Irene Del Lesto ◽  
Sara Tonon ◽  
Elena Cardini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Southern Italy ◽  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Public Parks ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Erinaceus Europaeus ◽  
European Hedgehog ◽  
Physaloptera Clausa

The European hedgehog is a synanthropic mammal, widely distributed in Europe. This species usually inhabits the edges of deciduous or mixed woods, but it is also very common in private gardens and public parks. Despite its popularity and frequency of contacts both with humans and with wild and domestic animals, few studies have examined the endoparasitic fauna of the hedgehog in Italy. In the present study, endoparasites of naturally deceased hedgehogs (n = 40) from central Italy (Latium and Tuscany regions) were investigated, along with concurrent gross and histopathological lesions. The most prevalent identified endoparasites were Crenosoma striatum (45%), Capillaria erinacei (42.5%) and Brachylaemus erinacei (22.5%), in accordance with previous reports from hedgehogs in southern Italy. In few subjects, Physaloptera clausa, Acanthocephalans and Cystoisospora rastegaeivae coccidia were also identified. The infection by the lungworm C. striatum was found to be significantly associated (p < 0.01) with bronchial hyperplasia and peribronchiolitis upon histopathological examination. Awareness of the most common parasitic infections in the hedgehog and of their effects on the health of these animals is extremely important, especially in wildlife rescue centers, where European hedgehog represents the most frequently hospitalized mammal species.

scholarly journals Adaptive genetic variation at three loci in South African vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) and the role of selection within Primates

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willem G Coetzer ◽  
Trudy R Turner ◽  
Christopher A Schmitt ◽  
J Paul Grobler
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
South African ◽  
Vervet Monkey ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Vervet Monkeys ◽  
Adaptive Genetic Variation ◽  
Chlorocebus Pygerythrus

Vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) are one of the most widely distributed non-human primate species found in South Africa. They occur across all the South African provinces, inhabiting a large variety of habitats. These habitats vary sufficiently that it can be assumed that various factors such as pathogen diversity could influence populations in different ways. In turn, these factors could lead to varied levels of selection at specific fitness linked loci. The Toll-like Receptor (TLR) gene family, which play an integral role in vertebrate innate immunity, is a group of fitness linked loci which has been the focus of much research. In this study, we assessed the level of genetic variation at partial sequences of two TLR loci (TLR4 and 7) and a reproductively linked gene, acrosin (ACR), across the different habitat types within the vervet monkey distribution range. Gene variation and selection estimates were also made among 11 – 21 primate species. Low levels of genetic variation for all three gene regions were observed within vervet monkeys , with only two polymorphic sites identified for TLR4, three sites for TLR7 and one site for ACR . TLR7 variation was positively correlated with high mean annual rainfall, which was linked to increased pathogen abundance. The observed genetic variation at TLR4 might have been influenced by numerous factors including pathogens and climatic conditions. The ACR exonic regions showed no variation in vervet monkeys, which could point to the occurrence of a selective sweep. The TLR4 and TLR7 results for the among primate analyses was mostly in line with previous studies, indicating a higher rate of evolution for TLR4. Within primates, ACR also showed signs of positive selection, which was congruent with previous reports on mammals. Important additional information to the already existing vervet monkey knowledge base was gained from this study, which can guide future research projects on this highly researched taxon as well as help conservation agencies with future management planning involving possible translocations of this species.

scholarly journals Toxocara cati and other parasitic enteropathogens: more commonly found in owned cats with gastrointestinal signs than in clinically healthy ones

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurora L. Ursache ◽  
Adriana Györke ◽  
Viorica Mircean ◽  
Mirabela Oana Dumitrache ◽  
Andrei Răzvan Codea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Giardia Duodenalis ◽  
Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Toxocara Cati ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Flotation Method

Abstract Gastrointestinal parasites are involved in the health and wellbeing of cats and some of them, due to their zoonotic character represent a problem for the public health. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of parasitic infections in cats with digestive symptoms. Faecal samples collected from 137 cats were analysed by the flotation method using sodium chloride saturated solution. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites was 56.6%. GI parasites were significantly (p=0.005) more common in cats with digestive symptoms (69.8%) than in clinically healthy ones (23.0%). Toxocara cati (40.2%) was the most frequently identified GI parasite, followed by Cystoisospora spp. (10.2%), Ancylostoma tubaeforme (3.7%), Taenia spp. (2.2), Giardia duodenalis (2.2%), and Toxoplasma gondii-like oocysts (0.7%). T. cati (53.3%, p<0.0001) and Cystoisospora spp. (15.6%, p<0.001) were significantly more frequently diagnosed in cats with digestive symptoms. Lack of deworming in the last three months (OR: 15.9), outdoor access (OR: 13.8), the presence of digestive symptoms (OR: 5.4), and young age (OR: 4.2) were identified as risk factors for T. cati infection by logistic regression analysis. Regardless of the age, symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, and inappetence were positively associated with T. cati.

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