Zoonotic Gastrointestinal Parasites of Baboons (Papio anubis) in the Shai Hill Reserve in Ghana

Abstract

Several intestinal parasites of baboons are of zoonotic importance, especially where there is considerable interaction between the baboons and humans. The identification of gastrointestinal parasite infections of baboons (Papio anubis) was undertaken at the Shai Hills Reserve Resort, Ghana. A total of 51 faecal samples were collected randomly from individual baboons (51) and examined for cysts, eggs, and larvae of parasites of medical importance, using the direct saline smear and formol-ether concentration technique. The baboons were in 7 troops and were grouped into juveniles, subadults, and adults. The survey showed that 92% of the baboon samples examined were infected with at least one or more parasite(s) of medical importance. Hookworm had the highest prevalence of 38.39% followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (22.32%), whilst Diphyllobotrium latum recorded the lowest prevalence of 0.89%. Adults had the highest prevalence of A. lumbricoides (35.42%). Hookworm (47.92%) occurred most in the juveniles. This is the first report of intestinal parasitic infection in baboons within the Shai Hills Reserve. The results showed a high level of multiparasitism in the nonhuman primates, thus the need for possible interventions to maintain ecosystem health and control the infections as they may be a potential source of transmission to humans.

A study on the gastrointestinal parasites (GIP) of wild animals found within the surrounding forests of Zuku and Rumfan Gwamna villages in Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria

“…In the present study, the high infection in adult's animals than the young animals concurs with [10] who observed that adults had the highest prevalence of intestinal parasites (39%), while the juveniles (18%) had the least. There was no relationship between age and parasite abundance was observed, except for baboon where age was found to be associated with prevalence of two parasite taxa (Strongyloides sp.…”

“…The high prevalence of GIP of 95.38 % (227 out of 238) found from the animals in the two forests is consistence with [10] who reported a total prevalence of 92 % zoonotic Gastrointestinal Parasites in Baboons (Papio anubis) in the Shai Hill Reserve in Ghana. In their survey [11] revealed a high prevalence of GIP, where 86% (48/56) of faecal samples screened positive for parasitic infections.…”

“…The source of these parasites is likely from ingesting infected prey, although exactly which prey is responsible for individual parasites is unknown [7]. The differences in the prevalence of these parasites was attributed to differences in transmission dynamics as well as the environmental, parasite, and host factors that contribute to development, survival, and dispersal of the infective stages of the parasite in the environment [10]. The low prevalence reported by other researchers could probably be due to small numbers of faecal samples observed in their studies.…”

Gastrointestinal parasites in captive olive baboons in a UK safari park

“…( 2019 ) and Larbi et al . ( 2020 ) have each noted whipworm infections in baboons previously, and whipworm control in people is a major ongoing effort across the world (WHO, 2012 ).…”

“…Gastrointestinal parasites of various baboon species living in wild, or in conservation settings, are well documented over decades of study using necropsy and coprological surveys (Myers and Kuntz, 1965 ; Murray et al ., 2000 ; Hahn et al ., 2003 ; Hope et al , 2004 ; Fagiolini et al ., 2010 ; Mafuyai et al ., 2013 ; Ebbert et al ., 2015 ; Reichard et al ., 2017 ; Akinyi et al ., 2019 ; Eo et al ., 2019 ; Mbuthia et al ., 2021 ). The gastrointestinal parasites of olive baboons have been frequently studied in different countries, sometimes with DNA characterization of encountered parasites (Ko et al ., 2023 ), to assess their zoonotic potentials (Müller-Graf et al ., 1996 ; Munene et al ., 1998 ; Bezjian et al ., 2008 ; Ryan et al ., 2012 ; Larbi et al ., 2020 ; Tabasshum et al ., 2022 ) that might have bearing for this UK safari park setting.…”