Zoonotic intestinal parasites of hamadryas baboons Papio hamadryas in the western and northern regions of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Six hundred and thirty-three faecal samples were randomly collected and examined for ova and cysts of intestinal parasites from five groups of hamadryas baboons of different population densities, with different human contact and in different ecological conditions (Al-Baha, Turabah and Al-Taif in south-western and Al-Rihat and Al-Akhal in north-western Saudi Arabia). Nine parasites were recorded (Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Escherichia coli, Balantidium coli, Enterobius sp., Trichuris sp., Hookworm, Hymenolepis nana and Schistosoma mansoni) in 274 samples (43.28%). The prevalence of parasites was high (36.0-58.5%) in areas of mild, cool climatic conditions, where baboons were at high density and had maximum human contact. However, in an area (Al-Akhal) of hot, dry climatic conditions, low baboon density and minimum human contact, the parasites' prevalence was very low (9.5%). The concentration of parasites (ova or cysts per g of faeces) was medium. Post-mortem examination of 24, 20, 19 and 13 baboons from Al-Baha, Al-Taif, Turabah and Al-Rihat revealed most of the parasites recorded in random faecal samples at prevalence rates of 37.5, 30.0, 36.0 and 23.0% respectively. The overall prevalence rate was 32.9%. Most of the parasites recorded in baboons were also recorded in humans in the areas of study.