SURVEY OF ENZOOTIC PATHOGENS AND ARTHROPOD VECTORS

本子项目是利用由NIH/NCRR资助的中心赠款提供的资源的众多研究子项目之一。子项目和研究者（PI）可能已经从另一个NIH来源获得了主要资金，因此可以在其他CRISP条目中表示。列出的机构是中心的，不一定是研究者的机构。该项目是一项调查，旨在评估TNPRC室外繁殖菌落中已知地方性动物病原体的地方性水平。从每只动物身上采集血液和粪便样本，检查是否有感兴趣的寄生虫。粪便样本通过直接涂片和浓度法进行检查。血液样本通过厚血涂片和薄血涂片检查疟原虫种类和诺特氏试验检查丝虫病。血浆用ELISA检测克氏锥虫的证据，并保存DNA以供将来的研究。每周用CDC光诱器和重力诱器捕获潜在病媒。采用试纸ELISA试验或新开发的西尼罗病毒LAMP试验对蚊虫进行分类和检测。2005年，我们检查了838份粪便样本和733份血液样本。我们还保存并检测了766份克鲁兹锥虫血清样本，并发现34只动物有暴露于克鲁兹锥虫的证据。我们已经能够从一些受感染的动物身上体外培养寄生虫，目前正在对受感染动物的母亲重新取样，以寻找这种寄生虫垂直传播的证据。这些动物中有许多是在该中心出生的，这表明这里正在通过当地的三角虫传播，尽管媒介尚未确定。发现的其他感兴趣的病原体包括勒伯氏圆线虫、兰氏贾第鞭毛虫、大肠平衡杆菌、毛滴虫和小膜膜绦虫（大鼠绦虫）。我们最近扩大了抽样范围，包括有婴儿的母亲的母乳，我们打算通过这些婴儿证明沙门氏菌的垂直传播。同样的寄生虫也存在于非洲妇女的乳汁中。它在母猴乳汁中的存在将是一个迹象，表明需要开发新的治疗方法，以帮助减少这种有机体在我们的繁殖群体中引起的发病率，特别是在幼小动物中。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. This project is a survey designed to assess the level of endemicity of known enzootic pathogens in the outdoor breeding colonies at the TNPRC. Samples of blood and stool obtained from each animal are examined for parasites of interest. Stool samples are examined by a direct smear and a concentration method. Blood samples are examined by thick and thin blood smears for Plasmodium species and the Knott's test for filariasis. Plasma is examined by ELISA for evidence of Trypanosoma cruzi and DNA is saved for future studies. Potential vectors are trapped weekly by CDC light trap and gravid traps. Mosquitoes are speciated and examined by dipstick ELISA test or the newly-developed LAMP test for West Nile virus (WNV). During 2005 we examined 838 stool samples and 733 blood samples. We have also saved and tested 766 serum samples for T. cruzi and have found 34 animals which show evidence of exposure to T. cruzi. We have been able to culture parasites in vitro from some infected animals and are presently re-sampling mothers of infected animals to look for evidence of vertical transmission of this parasite. Many of these animals were born at the Center indicating transmission is taking place here with local triatomid bugs, although the vector has not yet been identified. Other pathogens of interest found include Strongyloides f¿lleborni, Giardia lamblia, Balantidium coli, Trichuris trichiura, and Hymenolepis diminuta, the rat tapeworm. We have recently expanded our sampling to include milk from mothers with babies by which we intend to demonstrate vertical transmission of S. f¿lleborni. This same parasite has been shown to be present in the milk of African women. Its presence in the milk of simian mothers will be an indication that new treatment approaches need to be developed to help reduce the morbidity caused by this organism in our breeding colony, especially in young animals.