Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth of zoonotic importance in selected captive wild primates at UWEC

Abstract

Non-human primates of Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) remain under-studied concerning internal parasite infections and their diversity. The chimpanzees, baboons and monkeys of UWEC were investigated for helminth infestation and diversity in this study. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and diversity status of GIT helminthes in 21 chimpanzees, 6 baboons, 6 patas monkeys, 5 colobus monkeys and 4 red tailed monkeys. Faecal samples were collected and analyzed from UWEC laboratory using floatation, sedimentation and Mc master methods. Overall, 100% of faecal samples of all monkey categories and baboons were positive for helminth eggs. Five helminth groups were detected: (1) trichurids including Trichuris spp at prevalence of (83% in patas, 100% in colobus, baboons and red tailed monkeys) and Anatrichosoma spp. (17% in patas monkey), (2) Ancylostoma (17% in patas monkey, 50% in baboons and white colobus monkey), (3) Strongyloides (83% in patas monkey, 60% in colobus monkey, 50% in baboons and red tailed monkeys), (4) and Capillaria (40% in colobus monkeys). On average, every individual was co-infected with at least three different groups of helminths. This study showed a high prevalence of various gastrointestinal helminths with potential zoonotic relevance to the population interacting with them. The study findings should be considered when proposing SOP of animal keepers in management of captive non-human primates at UWEC zoo. The high numbers of EPG of Trichuris sp. different primates in the study (825 in patas monkey, 433 in baboons, 1650 in colobus monkeys and 682 in red tailed monkeys) indicate a high infection rate compared to the previous studies done in free ranging primates and captive primates hence imposing a great infection risk to the interacting human population.