Filarial hyperinfection in two neotropical primates from eastern Amazon peri‐urban areas

Abstract

Among the filarial species that infect non-human primates are the genus Dipetalonema and subgenus Mansonella (Tetrapetalonema) parasites of the thoracic-abdominal cavities and subcutaneous tissue, respectively, which are transmitted by arthropod vectors of the genus Culicoides and Simulium. 1 Clinical cases of disseminated microfilariae in humans caused by Mansonella and Wuchereria bancrofti describe larvae found in different organs, such as the liver, lymph nodes, kidneys, ovaries, and brain. 2 In non-human primates, microfilariae infection has only been observed in blood circulation. 3 In this study, for the first time, we revealed a hyperinfection with the dissemination of microfilariae in thoracic and abdominal organs and adult filariae (Dipetalonema gracile) in the abdominal and thoracic cavities of Saimiri sciureus and Saguinus niger in free living. | MATERIAL S AND ME THODSIn August 2022, the Triage and Rehabilitation Center for Wild Animals of the Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, received two adult male primates of the species S. sciureus and S. niger. These individuals had died as a consequence of road killed in the peri-urban region of the Municipality of Marituba (latitude 1°38′26″; longitude 48°38′22″), State of Pará, Brazil. The necroscopic examination was performed and samples of adult parasites and tissues (small and large intestine, kidney, lung, heart, liver, brain, pancreas, and spleen) were collected, fixed in 10% formalin and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histopathological examination. In addition, blood smears were performed to observe microfilariae. The investigation obtained approval from the Ethics Committee in Research with the Evandro Chagas Institute (CEPAN-IEC), protocol number 0007/2004.