Malaria Dynamics in Non-Human Primate Systems

Malaria in non-human primate systems is driven by closely related Plasmodium species that circulate in sylvatic habitats and occasionally spill over into human populations. In the Neotropical region, Plasmodium simium and Plasmodium brasilianum mirror the human parasites P. vivax and P. malariae, respectively, sharing morphology, genetics and vector species. These simian parasites are maintained in canopy‐dwelling primate communities and transmitted by Anopheles (Kerteszia) mosquitoes breeding in bromeliad axils. Landscape fragmentation, changes in vector abundance and primate population dynamics influence transmission intensity and the risk of zoonotic or reverse-zoonotic events. Advances in molecular diagnostics and serological assays have uncovered subpatent infections and low-density gametocytaemia in free-ranging monkeys. Understanding these dynamics is essential for designing integrated surveillance approaches, assessing reservoir potential and refining malaria-elimination strategies in regions where sylvatic and human cycles intersect.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Population-level sequencing of Plasmodium mitochondrial genomes has elucidated the evolutionary relationships between human and simian lineages. Analysis of global mitogenomic diversity indicates that P. vivax and P. simium share recent common ancestors, with clear evidence of one or more human-to-monkey transfers in the Atlantic Forest. Phylogeographic patterns reveal contributions from African, South Asian and Melanesian parasite lineages, suggesting complex introduction histories. These findings demonstrate that even limited anthropogenic movements can establish persistent sylvatic reservoirs, with implications for eradication efforts once elimination is declared in human populations.

Malaria Dynamics in Non-Human Primate Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in malaria dynamics in non-human primate systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Reservoir host: A non-human animal species in which a parasite persists and multiplies, serving as a source of infection for vectors or other hosts.

Gametocyte: The sexual form of Plasmodium that develops in the vertebrate host’s blood and is infective to mosquitoes upon ingestion.

Seroprevalence: The proportion of individuals in a population with detectable antibodies against a pathogen, indicating prior or ongoing exposure.

Zoonosis: An infectious disease naturally transmissible between vertebrate animals and humans, often involving wildlife reservoirs.

References

1. IgM antibody responses against Plasmodium antigens in neotropical primates in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (2023).
2. Zoonotic Malaria Risk in Serra Do Mar, Atlantic Forest, Brazil. Microorganisms (2023).
3. Detection of Plasmodium simium gametocytes in non-human primates from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Malaria Journal (2023).
4. Effects of anthropogenic landscape changes on the abundance and acrodendrophily of Anopheles (Kerteszia) cruzii, the main vector of malaria parasites in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. Malaria Journal (2019).
5. Atlantic Forest Malaria: A Review of More than 20 Years of Epidemiological Investigation. Microorganisms (2021).