Presencia de Plasmodium brasilianum (Apicomplexa, Plasmodidae) en el mono congo (Alouatta palliata, Primates: Cebidae) de Costa Rica. Importancia epidemiológica en relación con el ser humano

Abstract

Plasmodium brasilianum, a malaria parasite of Primates, was found for the first time in Costa Rica in 6 of 104 howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) studied. Animals were captured and anaesthesied with dards containing equal parts of tiletamine hidrochloride and Zolazepam (Zoletil® ). To study blood parasites, smears were prepared, fixed in methyl alcohol and stained by Giemsa technique. Young and advanced trofozoites (band forms) as well as gametocytes and squizonts ("rosseta" forms) were found. Since this parasite is very similar to P. malariae, a human parasite that has been found in Costa Rica, the presence of P. brasilianum is discussed on the epidemiological point of view. © 2007 Sociedad Chilena de Parasitología. Organo Oficial de la Federación Latinoamericana de Parasitólogos.