Continental-scale survey of Treponema pallidum in African nonhuman primates: expanding the range to the Mediterranean basin
Background: Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of yaws, bejel, and syphilis, is a significant pathogen affecting both humans and nonhuman primates (NHPs). While its presence is documented in several African NHP species, the continental-scale distribution, ecological drivers, and status in North African populations remain poorly understood. We conducted a large-scale, non-invasive survey to…
Treponema pallidum, the bacterium responsible for yaws, bejel, and syphilis, poses a threat to both humans and nonhuman primates (NHPs) in various regions. A recent comprehensive study examined fecal samples from 11 different NHP species across five African countries, employing an automated chemiluminescent assay and molecular techniques to detect anti-T. pallidum antibodies.
The investigation revealed seropositivity in most sites, spanning multiple primate groups, including great apes and cercopithecids. Notably, the first evidence of T. pallidum antibodies in Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) from North Africa was discovered, expanding the pathogen's known range to the Mediterranean basin. In West Africa, high seroprevalence was observed in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) from Senegal and Guinea, designating this area as a major endemic hotspot.
Central Africa also exhibited significant T. pallidum circulation among Cercopithecus wolfi, Cercopithecus ascanius, and western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). The arid/savanna biomes displayed notably higher exposure rates compared to Mediterranean and tropical rainforest regions. Crucially, no T. pallidum DNA was detected in either fecal or dipteran samples.
This research underscores the widespread distribution of T. pallidum among African NHPs, introduces T. pallidum presence in North African primate populations, and highlights the complex transmission dynamics shaped by host behaviors and environmental factors. The findings contribute to our understanding of T. pallidum's ecology, emphasizing the potential for a wide-ranging multihost sylvatic reservoir and offering valuable insights for wildlife health, One Health surveillance, and yaws eradication initiatives.
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