Survey of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in wild chimpanzee habitat in Western Uganda.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ticks and tick-borne pathogens significantly impact both human and animal health and therefore are of major concern to the scientific community. Knowledge of tick-borne pathogens is crucial for prescription of mitigation measures. In Africa, much research on ticks has focused on domestic animals. Little is known about ticks and their pathogens in wild habitats and wild animals like the endangered chimpanzee, our closest relative.

Methods

In this study, we collected ticks in the forested habitat of a community of 100 chimpanzees living in Kibale National Park, Western Uganda, and assessed how their presence and abundance are influenced by environmental factors. We used non-invasive methods of flagging the vegetation and visual search of ticks both on human team mem

SUBMITTER: Lacroux C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9869571 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature