Zoonotic Gastrointestinal Helminths And Hemoparasites Of Baboons In Tana River, Tsavo And Laikipia, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Zoonotic pathogens are among the most important causes of ill health in humans all over the world. In Kenya, the encroachment of wildlife habitats has led to increased interaction between humans and non-human primates especially baboons hence potential for zoonoses transmission. However, a risk analysis for these zoonoses had not been undertaken in Kenya. The current study aimed to investigate hemoparasites and gastrointestinal parasites of olive baboons (Papio anubis) at the human–baboon interface in Tsavo West National Park, Tana River Primate Reserve and Mutara Ranch in Laikipia County. Laikipia baboons were used to study hematological responses to helminth treatments and pathology. Questionnaire survey was conducted in Tana River and Tsavo on risk factors associated with zoonoses. Baboons were trapped in the wild, sampled for blood, feacal, ectoparasites and thoroughly examined physically. Blood smears were prepared and examined for hematology and haemoparasites. Uncoagulated blood was used for confirmation of haemoparasites with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Feacal samples were screened for helminth oocysts. Helminths detected included Oesophagostomum, Strongyloides, Trichuris and Enterobius with the highest frequencies being 80.5%, 77.8%, 27.5% and 14.8% respectively in the three study sites. Schistosoma mansoni was only detected in Tsavo baboons (2.1%). There was a significant difference in prevalence of the helminths among the three sites (P