Influence of Climatic Factors on Pneumocys Carriage within a Socially Organized Group of Immunocompetent Macaques (Macaca fascicularis)

Abstract

As monkeys-derived Pneumocystis is closely related to P. jirovecii, simian populations should be considered as valuable models for the understanding of the epidemiology of human pneumocystosis. In the present study, the impact of environmental factors on the carriage of Pneumocystis was evaluated in socially organized group of immunocompetent macaques (Macaca fascicularis). The tribe, maintained in partial release at the Primatology Center of Strasbourg in France, comprised 29 animals at the end of the study. From December 2000 to November 2002, deep nasal swab samples were collected monthly from each animal under general anaesthesia. The presence of Pneumocystis DNA was assessed by nested PCR of mtLSU rRNA gene. No case of pneumocystosis was reported during the study. Pneumocystis DNA was detected in 166 out of 481 swab samples examined (34.5%). The number of macaques with detectable Pneumocystis DNA was highly variable from one month to another. However, Pnemocystis carriage was clearly correlated to the mean precipitation rates.

Molecular and serological evidence of Pneumocystis circulation in a social organization of healthy macaques (Macaca fascicularis)

“…The lowest prevalence rate was found in February 2001, when only one macaque was positive (Table 1). Seasonal influence of climatic factors on Pneumocystis carriage was examined in detail elsewhere (Demanche et al, 2003).…”

“…A social organization of crab-eating macaques (Macaca fascicularis), living in a 500 m 2 natural area at the Primatology Center of Strasbourg was examined for 2 years (from December 2000 to November 2002). Demanche et al (2003) examined the same colony. At the beginning of the study, the colony comprised 18 macaques including nine sexually mature animals (one male and eight females), six subadults (one male and five females) and three unweaned macaques (one male and two females) born in September 2000.…”

Characterizing Pneumocystis in the Lungs of Bats: Understanding Pneumocystis Evolution and the Spread of Pneumocystis Organisms in Mammal Populations

“…The impact of environmental factors on Pneumocystis carriage was also evaluated in immunocompetent macaques (Macaca fascicularis) maintained in partial release (28). The number of macaques with detectable Pneumocystis DNA (assessed by nested PCR from deep nasal swab samples) was apparently correlated with mean precipitation rates (28). However, behavioral factors could also intervene.…”

Healthcare related transmission of Pneumocystis pneumonia: From key insights toward comprehensive prevention

“…As a proof of principle, the reported outbreaks of PCP have always been terminated by institution of adequate chemoprophylaxis, that is, providing chemoprophylaxis for every individual at risk for PCP . Besides ‘crowding’, other setting related factors for example climate, humidity have been found to influence on the incidence of PCP . Although biologically plausible and supported by epidemiological data, the impact of these variables seems limited and, above all, cannot be controlled.…”

“…20,24 Besides 'crowding', other setting related factors for example climate, humidity have been found to influence on the incidence of PCP. [57][58][59] Although biologically plausible and supported by epidemiological data, the impact of these variables seems limited and, above all, cannot be controlled.…”