Describing the Epidemiological Landscape of Tuberculosis, Enteroviruses, Enterobacteriaceae, and Gastrointestinal Parasites in New World Primates and their Caretakers in the Peruvian Jungle

Cultural and ecological interactions between non-human primates (NHPs) and humans occur in a variety of contexts in Peru, and human population growth and economic development has increased human-NHP interactions through habitat encroachment, hunting, wildlife trade, and through access to zoos and sanctuaries. Additionally, harboring exotic pets in homes, although illegal, is common. As such, a rich human-primate interface abounds and has not been systematically studied in Peru. Through the administration of epidemiological surveys and collection of non-invasive biological samples, we propose to further our understanding of infectious agents shared by humans and NHPs. Paired human/monkey samples will be collected and tested for the following infections in NHPs and humans in close contact with NHPs: 1) mycobacterial DNA in saliva; 2) enteroparasites in stool; 3) enteroviruses in stool; and 4) Enterobacteriaceae in stool. A questionnaire will be administered to all human subjects to detail the amount and type of contact each human has with NHPs. Samples will be obtained from NHPs from the following settings: households that house NHPs as pets, wetmarkets, sanctuaries, and zoos. Human samples will be obtained from family members that live with NHP pets, and from hunters, trappers, and workers in wetmarkets, sanctuaries and zoos. To date, the following parasites have been identified in NHP samples from this study: Blastocystis sp, Trichomonas sp, Trichuris sp, ascarids sp, hookworms sp, Giardia sp, Entamoeba sp, and Cryptosporidium sp. Additionally Shigella sp and Aeromonas sp have been cultured from NHP stool.