Diversity of gastrointestinal parasites in sympatric mammals in Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, Gabon.

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Gastrointestinal parasites identified in the wild can negatively affect host fitness, lower performance, and growth. On the other side, sympatric mammals that share habitat and resources may also cross-transmit parasites, which are often zoonotic and can contribute to morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to characterize the diversity of gastrointestinal parasites circulating in mammalian hosts in Moukalaba-Doudou National Park.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We screened a total of 25 fecal samples collected from nine wild mammalian species, namely, western gorilla (), chimpanzee (), putty-nosed monkey (), African forest elephant (), African buffalo (), blue duiker (), bay duiker (), and red river hog () as well as people working as trackers (s) using direct microscopic observations following a sedimentation technique to concentrate the fecal material.

RESULTS

Of the total 25 fecal samples screened, 15 (60%) were positive for parasitic gastrointestinal infection. Based on the morphology of parasite eggs and cysts, we identified a rich diversity of nematodes, protozoans, trematodes, and cestodes, including unidentified strongyles (73%), spp. (53%), spp. (27%), spp. (13%), spp. (13%), spp. (13%), spp. (47%), (20%), (20%), (6%), (6%), spp. (13%), and spp. (6%).

CONCLUSION

All parasites were found at least once in one of the hosts, and most were potentially zoonotic and responsible for several diseases of public health concern. Because of the small sample size, our findings should not be considered conclusive. Nevertheless, they highlight the diversity of gastrointestinal parasites in this area.