Prevalence of Plasmodium parasites in non-human primates and mosquitoes in areas with different degrees of fragmentation in Colombia

Parasites from the genus Plasmodium, responsible of causing Malaria in humans, are able to infect also non-human primates (NHPs), increasing the potential risk of zoonoses and their globally public health concern. This study aimed to determine the circulating species of Plasmodium in Anopheles and Ateles hybridus, Cebus versicolor, Alouatta seniculus and Aotus griseimembra living in fragmented forests within the Magdalena River valley, in order to evaluate the risk of infection to humans associated with the presence of NHP and Anopheles infected with Plasmodium spp. One hundred and sixty six fecal samples and twenty-five blood samples were collected from NHPs, while four hundred and forty two Anopheles were collected. DNA extraction, electrophoresis and sequencing were conducted in order to identify Plasmodium spp. Plasmodium falciparum was found infecting A.seniculus, while P.vivax/simium infected A. hybridus, C. versicolor and A. seniculus. P. malariae/brasilianum was found infecting all the four NHP species. Infection with P.vivax/simium was found in Anopheles nuneztovari, Anopheles neomaculipalpus, and Anopheles triannulatus. Furthermore, Anopheles oswaldoi and Anopheles triannulatus were found infected with P. malariae/brasilianum. The presence of Plasmodium spp. in NHP and Anopheles spp. in fragmented forests is a scenario that suggests important epidemiological implications and the associated risk of malaria transmission.