Occupational Zoonotic Parasites Associated with Non-Human Primates and their Keepers in Giza Zoo
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- Category: Vol. 85, March 2017
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Occupational Zoonotic Parasites Associated with Non-Human Primates and their Keepers in Giza Zoo, SAHAR Z. ABD EL-MAWGOOD, EMAN E. TAHER, NANCY O. KAMEL, HASSAN M. SOBHY, and MOHAMED M. ABD EL-KADER
Abstract
Introduction: Non-Human Primates (NHP) are common groups of animals in zoo gardens for public entertainment. Encroachment of humans into their habitats and closeness to them in zoo gardens have caused frequent pathogen exchange with humans resulting into emerging zoonosis that threatens global health and resulted in a decline in their population. Parasitic diseases constitute one of the major problems causing severe losses in these animals. Zoo workers are considered to be under risk for infection by these parasites as a result of their occupational exposure to animals with higher incidence than the public or zoo visitors.
Aim of the Work: Investigating the level of infection by different parasites, their seasonal variation and suspected role of transmission between NHP and their keepers at Giza-Zoo Garden (GZG) during one year in Egypt.
Methods: Bi-weekly fecal samples were collected from 91 NHP among 10 species during one year. Moreover monthly stool samples were collected from the keepers of these animals also. Diagnostic stages of enteric parasites were investigated by direct examination of these samples using the traditional parasitological methods including sedimentation, floatation and some special techniques.
Results: Infection by different parasites in the examined NHP reached up to 66.66% 62.5% and 54.76% in Orangutan, yellow baboon and Chimpanzee respectively. However, re-corded levels in Vervet and Blue monkeys were low (18% and 25%) respectively. Brown capuchin appeared free from any parasitic infections. Higher infection rates were during summer season. Parasitic species diagnosed in infected animals were mostly of zoonotic importance including; Entamoeba histolytica, Balantidium, Cryptosporidium and Giardia species cysts. Also, Trichostrongylus trichuris, H.nana, Enterobius and Bertiella species eggs. In the same time; zoonotic parasites were diagnosed in stool samples from keepers and servers of these animals including H.nana, Entamoeba histolytica, Crypt-osporidium, Balantidium and Giardia cysts.