Detection of Hepatocystis sp. Infection in Vervet Monkeys (Chlorocebus Pygrythrus) Imported from Tanzania Using Molecular and Microscopic Methods

The present study examined and reported Hepatocystis sp. infection in wild-caught vervet monkeys imported from Tanzania into the Razi vaccine and serum research institute (RVSRI). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting of ۱۸S rRNA gene, followed by sequencing, Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST),   and phylogenetic studies revealed that ۸۲.۸% of the imported monkeys were infected with Hepatocystis. Nevertheless, as illustrated by a routine parasitological examination of blood smears and histopathological examination of liver collected samples, the rates of Hepatocystis infection were obtained at ۳۳.۹% and ۳۸.۱%, respectively. Two isolated ۱۸S rRNA gene sequences of Hepatocystis sp. from Tanzanian vervet monkeys were registered under the accession numbers OM۲۸۱۵۶۷ and OM۲۸۱۵۶۴ in GenBank. Although Hepatocystis infections do not cause clinical disease, they may interfere with the research data. The results of the current study pointed out that after proper nutrition and implementation of good physical environmental conditions for ۳-۴ months, the imported monkeys obviously gained weight and most of their hematological parameters, even in the presence of the parasite, returned to the normal levels and the experimental monkeys would be ready for use in studies.

Keywords:

Hepatocystis sp , Molecular test , parasitological examination , Vervet monkey