Prevalence of Plasmodium spp. in long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis Raffles, 1821) in Palawan, Philippines
2018
Gamalo. L.E.D.
Macaca fascicularis is the most widespread species of macaques in Southeast Asia and is the only monkey in the Philippines. In Southeast Asia, this species is reported to be infected by Plasmodium species, namely Plasmodium knowlesi, P. cynomolgi, P. inui., P. coatneyi and P. fieldi. This study aimed to identify and determine the prevalence rates of the simian Plasmodium species infecting long-tailed macaques from the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (n=40), Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (n=25) and National Wildlife Rescue and Research Center (n=30); and to assess some risks associated with potential zoonotic transmission and document human-macaque conflict in PPSRNP. Ninety-five macaques blood samples were screened using microscopy and nested PC analysis. Plasmodium infection in macaques in relation to sex, relative ages, site of collection and troops were also determined. Results revealed that of the 95 macaques, 47.37% were positive with Plasmodium. Five species were recorded namely P. inui, P. fieldi, P. cynomolgi, P. coatneyi, and P. knowlesi with infection rate of 44.21%, 41.05%, 23.16%, 21.05%, and 18.95%, respectively. Mix infections were also observed. Human-macaque conflict was also documented which increases the risk for zoonotic transmission. This is the first record of the occurrence of the five Plasmodium species in macaques in Palawan through molecular analysis. The presence of the P. knowlesi and P. cynomolgi has potential risks for zoonotic transmission and measures should be done to prevent infection to humans.
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