Diverse Kinetoplastida detected in fecal samples from wild non-human primates across three African regions.

چکیده اصلی

BACKGROUND: The order Kinetoplastida comprises medically important parasites as well as numerous non-trypanosomatid lineages whose diversity and ecology remain poorly understood. Although studies in non-human primates (NHPs) have mainly focused on pathogenic trypanosomatids, little is known about the broader diversity of Kinetoplastida associated with wildlife. The present study aimed to characterize the diversity of Kinetoplastida detected in wild NHPs across Africa. METHODS: We analyzed 884 fecal samples collected from wild NHPs in three African countries (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo and Senegal). Following nucleic acid extraction, samples were screened for Kinetoplastida using a broad-range quantitative PCR targeting the 28S rRNA gene. Positive samples were subjected to conventional PCR, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS: Kinetoplastida DNA was detected in 88 fecal samples from all study sites, with detection frequencies varying from 3.69% in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to 16.24% in the Republic of the Congo and 34.78% in Senegal. Phylogenetic analyses revealed a broad diversity of kinetoplastid lineages, predominantly affiliated with bodonid-related taxa, including clades closely related to Bodo saltans, Parabodo nitrophilus and Neobodo spp. One sequence clustered within a clade closely related to Dimastigella trypaniformis, whereas another group of sequences formed a clade related to Parabodo caudatus. A limited number of sequences also showed phylogenetic proximity to Trypanosomatidae lineages related to Trypanosoma, Leishmania and Leptomonas. CONCLUSIONS: This study expands current knowledge of the diversity of Kinetoplastida detected in fecal samples from wild NHPs and highlights the value of non-invasive molecular approaches for investigating protist diversity in wildlife. The detection of Trypanosomatidae-related lineages in fecal samples represents an uncommon finding that deserves further investigation. Further studies combining complementary sample types, strain isolation and additional molecular approaches are needed to better understand the ecological significance of the detected lineages and their relationships with vertebrate hosts.

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