Here, we present a review of the dataset resulting from the 11-years follow-up of
Trypanosoma cruzi infection in free-ranging populations of
Leontopithecus rosalia (golden lion tamarin) and
Leontopithecus chrysomelas (golden-headed lion tamarin) from
distinct forest fragments in Atlantic Coastal Rainforest. Additionally, we present
new data regarding T. cruzi infection of small mammals (rodents and
marsupials) that live in the same areas as golden lion tamarins and characterisation
at discrete typing unit (DTU) level of 77 of these isolates. DTU TcII was found to
exclusively infect primates, while TcI infected Didelphis aurita and
lion tamarins. The majority of T. cruzi isolates derived from
L. rosalia were shown to be TcII (33 out 42) Nine T.
cruzi isolates displayed a TcI profile. Golden-headed lion tamarins
demonstrated to be excellent reservoirs of TcII, as 24 of 26 T.
cruzi isolates exhibited the TcII profile. We concluded the following:
(i) the transmission cycle of T. cruzi in a same host species and
forest fragment is modified over time, (ii) the infectivity competence of the golden
lion tamarin population fluctuates in waves that peak every other year and (iii) both
golden and golden-headed lion tamarins are able to maintain long-lasting infections
by TcII and TcI.
Sampled tamarins displayed typical signs of T. cruzi infection, similar to experimentally infected primates and human natural infection. Potential risk of T. cruzi infection to this endangered species is discussed.
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