Naturally acquired visceral leishmaniasis in non-human primates in Brazil

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a chronic and often fatal protozoal disease that is endemic in Belo Horizonte (State of Minas Gerais, Brazil). Leishmania sp. is an intracellular obligatory parasite of macrophages that can naturally infect several mammalian species. Non-human primates (NHP) have been used as experimental models for infection with Leishmania of the donovani complex. The present report describes a case of visceral leishmaniasis in a black-fronted titi. Among 41 primates kept in captivity in a zoo in Belo Horizonte (State of Minas Gerais, Brazil), one animal, a black-fronted titi (Callicebus nigrifrons), was positive for Leishmania chagasi infection by PCR and immunohistochemistry, and developed a fatal disease with clinical signs and lesions compatible with VL. Other 17 NHP, including six black-fronted titis (C. nigrifrons), one howler monkey (Alouatta guariba), three golden-bellied capuchins (Cebus xanthosternos), one golden-headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus crysomelas), one black-headed owl monkey (Aotus nigriceps), two Rio Tapajós sakis (Pithecia irrorata) and three emperor tamarins (Saguinus imperator) had blood samples that tested positive for amplification of Leishmania kDNA by PCR, although these NPH had no clinical signs of the disease.

Diagnosis of Leishmania infantum infection by Polymerase Chain Reaction in wild mammals

“…Leishmania sp. has been previously detected by PCR in the peripheral blood of this species (Malta et al 2010). Anti-L. mexicana IgG antibodies have been detected in two species of the Alouatta genus, i.e.…”

“…The diagnosis was confirmed by IFAT, PCR and direct observation of amastigotes in macrophages from liver, spleen, lymph nodes and skin . Malta et al (2010) reported a case of confirmed clinical leishmaniasis in a black-fronted titi monkey (Callicebus nigrifrons) also from ZBF-BH.…”

“…infantum infection has also been detected in wildlife species in Brazil, including canids (Figueiredo et al 2008, Luppi et al 2008, primates (Malta et al 2010), and felids (Dahroug et al 2010). The role of these species as reservoirs is unclear, but some species are susceptible to clinical development of the disease (Luppi et al 2008, Malta et al 2010.…”

“…infantum infection has also been detected in wildlife species in Brazil, including canids (Figueiredo et al 2008, Luppi et al 2008, primates (Malta et al 2010), and felids (Dahroug et al 2010). The role of these species as reservoirs is unclear, but some species are susceptible to clinical development of the disease (Luppi et al 2008, Malta et al 2010. Furthermore, L. infantum has been detected in other groups of wild mammals that are present in urban areas in Brazil, including rodents (Oliveira et al 2005) and marsupials (Schallig et al 2007, Santiago et al, 2007 that may also function as potential reservoirs.…”

Molecular Localization Techniques in the Diagnosis and Characterization of Nonhuman Primate Infectious Diseases

“…Recently, leishmaniasis has been described in a number of neotropical primate species kept in a zoological setting in Brazil and an immunohistochemistry technique used to identify amastigotes in macrophages of the liver and intestine. 48 …”