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. 2021 Sep;7(5):2026-2031.
doi: 10.1002/vms3.495. Epub 2021 May 4.

Schistosoma mansoni and soil transmtted helminths in olive baboons and potential zoonosis

Maloba Fredrick  1 , Mwangi Danson  2 , Kagira John  3 , Kivai Stanislaus  2 , Ndeereh David  4 , Ngotho Maina  5 , Gicheru Michael  1 , Mbaruk Suleiman  5 , Akinyi Mercy  2   6
Affiliations

Schistosoma mansoni and soil transmtted helminths in olive baboons and potential zoonosis

Maloba Fredrick et al. Vet Med Sci. 2021 Sep.

Abstract

Zoonotic pathogens are among the most important causes of ill health all over the world. The presence of these pathogens in free ranging baboons may have significant implications for humans. In Kenya, the encroachment of wildlife habitats has led to increased interaction between humans and wildlife especially non-human primates. The current study therefore aimed at investigating any possible zoonotic gastrointestinal helminths of olive baboons (Papio anubis) at the human-wildlife interface in two park borders and a ranch in Kenya, namely, Tsavo West National Park, Tana River Primate Reserve and Mutara Ranch, Laikipia, Kenya. One hundred and forty-seven baboons were used in the study. They were trapped in the wild, sampled for stool marked and then released back to the wild. Gastrointestinal (GIT) helminths identified were Strongyloides, Oesophagostomum, Enterobius spp and Trichuris Trichiura from all the three sites while Schistosoma mansoni was only detected from Tsavo baboons and with very low incidence (2.1%). The prevalence of these parasites varied among the sites but significant difference in prevalence was only noted in Strongyloides and Oesophagostomum (p < 0.05) among the three sites. This therefore implies that even with control measures instituted on the human population, baboons will always be a source of zoonotic GIT helminths especially S. mansoni even if the incidence are low. There is need to put in place measures aiming to reduce their interactions with humans and also try to control these infections in the baboons.

Keywords: Schistosomiasis; Zoonoses; baboon.

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Conflict of interest statement

No conflict of interest to declare.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Map indicating three study sites for baboon sampling. Asteric showing the locations (Research gate, 2015). The sites were selected due to the possible high interaction of baboons with humans
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Prevalence rates of gastrointestinal tract helminths among baboons from the study sites. Schistosoma mansoni which is a human trematode was present though a low prevalence in addition to other zoonotic helminths
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Mean egg per gram counts plot for helminths from the three study sites. Schistosoma mansoni reported the lowest intensity infection which would indicate that the baboon could be managing the infections hence acting as carriers
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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