Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum infection in Neotropical primates in the western Amazon, Brazil

Abstract

The Brazilian Amazon is endemic for malaria and natural infections by Plasmodium spp. have been detected in Neotropical primates. Despite the diversity of primate species in the region, studies on infections by these agents are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of infection by Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum in free‐born primates that were kept in captivity, in the western Amazon, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 98 Neotropical primates. Detection of P. vivax and P. falciparum DNA was performed using a semi‐nested PCR, and the amplified products were sequenced. Plasmodium spp. DNA was detected in 6.12% (6/98) of the primates. P. vivax, and P. falciparum DNA was detected in 2.04% (2/98) and 4.08% (4/98) of these mammals, respectively. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the results obtained from the semi‐nested PCR. The presence of infected non‐human primates (NHP) can be auxiliary in the maintenance of P. falciparum and P. vivax and may have implications for the malaria surveillance and control in the Brazilian Amazon. It is necessary to structure an efficient surveillance system for the aetiological agents of malaria that infect NHP and humans to reduce the risk of Plasmodium spp. introduction into new areas, to protect all susceptible species.

Naturally Acquired Humoral Immunity against Malaria Parasites in Non-Human Primates from the Brazilian Amazon, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest

“…Recently, many studies have been performed to evaluate the presence of malaria parasites in NHPs, both in the Atlantic Forest and Amazon regions, aiming to understand their roles as reservoirs of malaria [ 4 , 7 , 8 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Some serological studies have also been carried out with the same aim but without using any P. malariae erythrocytic stage antigens [ 9 , 10 , 25 ].…”

Is zoonotic Plasmodium vivax malaria an obstacle for disease elimination?

“…This is an important finding when trying to evaluate zoonotic vivax infection, and may help us to begin to understand the real role of NHPs in malaria transmission in the Americas. In 2019, in the western Brazilian Amazon, Silva et al detected P. vivax and P. falciparum DNA in 2.04% (2/98) and 4.08% (4/98), respectively, of Neotropical primates in captivity, using another protocol [23]. These authors described two individual Saguinus bicolor were tested, and one of them was positive for P. falciparum, however 12 Saimiri sciureus were screened for Plasmodium, but none were positive [23].…”

“…In 2019, in the western Brazilian Amazon, Silva et al detected P. vivax and P. falciparum DNA in 2.04% (2/98) and 4.08% (4/98), respectively, of Neotropical primates in captivity, using another protocol [23]. These authors described two individual Saguinus bicolor were tested, and one of them was positive for P. falciparum, however 12 Saimiri sciureus were screened for Plasmodium, but none were positive [23]. In a study carried out in 1966, using intracardiac or subcutaneous inoculation, three Saimiri sciureus were experimentally infected with the pooled sporozoites from three specimens of Anopheles cruzi, though all of them were negative on daily examination of thick blood smears [11].…”