First molecular identification of Buxtonella ciliates from captive-bred mangabeys (Cercocebus torquatus) from China

Abstract

Buxtonella species are large cyst-forming ciliates that infect ruminants and monkeys, and are morphologically similar to Balantidium coli ciliates that infect pigs, humans, monkeys, and other animals. In this study, we isolated spherical cysts of ciliates that were similar to those of Balantidium and Buxtonella species within collared mangabeys (Cercocebus torquatus) from the Wangcheng Zoo of Luoyang in the Henan Province of central China. The cysts were further identified and designated as belonging to the Buxtonella monkey genotype based on molecular analyses of 18S rRNA, 5.8S rRNA, and ITS1-5.8S rRNA-ITS2 genetic markers. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Buxtonella monkey genotype within monkeys in China. These results will help clarify the classification of species of cyst-forming ciliate infections in monkeys.

Identification of potentially zoonotic parasites in captive orangutans and semi‐captive mandrills: Phylogeny and morphological comparison

“…Balantoides coli is often detected in captive primates, including great apes (Pomajbíková et al, 2010). In contrast, Buxtonella ‐like ciliates seem to be restricted to primates of the family Cercopithecidae both in captivity and in the wild (Pomajbíková et al, 2013; Yan et al, 2018), which is supported by our results for semi‐captive mandrills. So far, it appears that B .…”

“…Studies of mandrills, the source of our comparative material, also mention detection of B. coli (Poirotte et al, 2016; Setchell et al, 2007). However, recent studies (Chistyakova et al, 2014; Jirků‐Pomajbíková & Modrý, 2018; Pomajbíková et al, 2013; Yan et al, 2018) and our results show that at least two taxa of vestibuliferid ciliates, specifically B. coli and Buxtonella ‐like ciliates, occur in primates. Due to the lack of clear identification structures on the ciliate's cysts, the two taxa can hardly be distinguished by their morphology.…”

“…However, the question arises as to the identification of the two taxa based on their morphological characteristics observed under the microscope. In general, the cysts formed by vestibuliferid ciliates vary in size and shape even within a species, which complicates their identification (Kuze et al, 2010; Mul et al, 2007; Pafčo et al, 2018; Yan et al, 2018). Although the cysts appeared slightly different in microscopy (see large vacuole in the cysts of Buxtonella ‐like vestibuliferids, Figure 1c), we did not find robust features that distinguish between B. coli and Buxtonella ‐like ciliates in primate fecal samples using microscopic analyses.…”

“…Other studies, including reports on orangutans revealed the presence of B. coli based on microscopic examination only (Kuze et al, 2010;Mul et al, 2007;Setchell et al, 2007;Supriadi et al, 2012) and the exact taxonomic determination may be incorrect. In contrast, Buxtonella-like ciliates have never been reported in apes using molecular analyses, but only in primates of the family Cercopithecidae (Pomajbíková et al, 2013;Yan et al, 2018). Molecular analyses of vestibuliferid ciliates traditionally relied on amplification of 18S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) (Barbosa et al, 2017;Norman Grim et al, 2015;Pomajbíková et al, 2013;Ponce-Gordo et al, 2011).…”

Cyst detection and viability assessment of Balantioides coli in environmental samples: Current status and future needs

“…In samples in which compatible cysts/trophozoites were found, B. coli has been confirmed by genetic analysis in humans, chimpanzee, bonobo, gorilla, rhesus macaques, hamadryas baboon, pigs and wild boars, sheep, elephants, guinea pigs, ostriches and rheas ( Ponce-Gordo and García-Rodríguez, 2021 ). In rhesus macaques, hamadryas baboon, agile mangabey and collared mangabey, an unnamed Buxtonella -like species has been identified ( Pomajbíková et al, 2013 ; Yan et al, 2018 ). In cattle and buffalo, there are numerous reports of B. coli (based on the finding of cysts), but to date, only Buxtonella sulcata have been identified by genetic analysis ( Adhikari et al, 2013 ; Grim et al, 2015 ; Pomajbíková et al, 2013 ).…”