Intestinal parasites in howler monkeys Alouatta palliata (Primates: Cebidae) of Costa Rica. Fecal samples of 102 howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) from several sites of Costa Rica were studied for intestinal parasites. The zones studied were: Central Valley (San Ramón, Alajuela), Central Pacific (Chomes and Manuel Antonio National Park, Puntarenas), North Pacific (Palo Verde Park and Playa Potrero, Guanacaste), Chira Island in the Nicoya Gulf and Caribean area (Cahuita, Limón). Animals were anesthetized with dards containing Telazol in order to collect the fecal material; some monkeys defecated spontaneously and others by direct stimulation. Samples were studied in saline solution (0.85%) and a Iodine solution, or stained with Haematoxylin. The material was also cultured in Dobell culture medium to determine the presence of amoeba and flagellates. Strongyloides, Controrchis, Trypanoxyuris genera were found in 3.4% of the samples. In addition 16.7% to 80% of the animals showed protozoa infection with Endolimax, Entamoeba, Trichomonas and Giardia. It is discussed the relationships of parasite infection with environmental conditions, animal population and human presence, specially in the monkey conservation programs point of view. Rev. Biol. Trop. 53(3-4): 437-445. Epub 2005 Oct 3.
Resumen: Los hallazgos más recientes en cuanto a la trasmisión del Toxoplasma gondii en Costa Rica nos indican que la ingestión de carne poco cocida, así como de algunos embutidos, en donde se ha encontrado el parásito en forma viable, son mecanismos de infección importante. Estos aspectos han hecho variar un poco la concepción anterior de que la ingestión de ooquistes del parásito era la principal, sino la única, vía de infección en nuestro país. Por ello se propone un nuevo ciclo de trasmisión para este parásito, comparándolo con el previamente establecido. Este nuevo patrón epidemiológico establece mayores posibilidades de infección con este parásito para los costarricenses.
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