Molecular detection of trypanosomatids in neotropical primates in the state of Mato Grosso, Midwest, Brazil

Abstract

Trypanosomatids are uniflagellate protozoa belonging to the Trypanosomatidae family. The genera Trypanosoma and Leishmania are of paramount importance as they contain species that cause serious diseases, such as Chagas disease and Leishmaniasis, respectively. The objective of the present study was to identify trypanosomatids present in the whole blood of free-living and captive neotropical primates in Mato Grosso State, Midwest Brazil. Between 2017 and 2019, 38 blood samples were collected from seven different neotropical primate species in seven cities in the state. Through molecular techniques, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify a fragment of the kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) and 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis, nine Leishmania spp. [seven L. infantum and two L. (Leishmania) amazonensis] and two Trypanosoma spp. (T. minasense and T. rangeli) were identified. This study contributes to understanding the occurrence and epidemiology of trypanosomatids in Mato Grosso State and the importance of neotropical primates as trypanosome hosts and possible infection sources for other animals and humans. Future identification of other blood pathogens in neotropical primates will assist in disease control and prevention strategies.

Infectious diseases of neotropical primates

“…Serology, blood smears cytology and blood PCR also detected T. cruzi and others Trypanosoma species in wild populations of marmosets (Callithrix sp. and Mico melanurus), howler monkeys (Aloautta pigra, Alouatta caraya, and A. palliata), spider monkeys (A. geoffroyi), tamarins (Saguinus bicolor) and capuchins (Sapajus apella) (28,38,113,172,173,193). In some of those studies, besides T. cruzi, Trypanosoma minasense and/or Trypanosoma rangeli were confirmed by DNA sequencing.…”

“…In some of those studies, besides T. cruzi, Trypanosoma minasense and/or Trypanosoma rangeli were confirmed by DNA sequencing. These two species are primitive Trypanosoma species considered of low pathogenicity in vertebrates, but with a constant low parasitemia in NWP (28,38). No symptomatic animals were identified in those studies.…”

“…In wildlife there are serologic and molecular evidence of Leishmania infantum, Leishmania mexicana, Leishmania shawi, L. amazonensis, and Leishmania braziliensis in a wide range of NWP from endemic areas (4,23,28,78,89,90,112,120,154,172,182,212), but no symptomatic animals were identified. These findings could represent a public health concern once some species of NWP were competent in transmitting L. infantum to the invertebrate vector Lutzomyia longipalpis (150,182), being a potential reservoir of this parasite contributing to its maintenance in the environment.…”

“…PCR is also frequently use and is important to differentiate from Leishmania sp. and others Trypanosoma species (28).…”