Determination of Enteroparasites in Long-tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis) of Barangay Sumile, Butuan City, Philippines

Abstract

Macaca fascicularisare primates known to be reservoirs of enteroparasites. Due to anthropogenic activities, they are experiencing habitat loss, forcing them to move to human settlements, resulting in the transmission of zoonotic diseases. This study aims to identify the enteroparasites present in the three troops of long-tailed macaques of Brgy. Sumile, Butuan City, Philippines, and assess their prevalence and intensity. The formalin-ether concentration technique (FECT) was employed in examining fifty-one macaque fecal samples for enteroparasite detection. Identification was via morphological features, and all samples were positive for one or several species of enteroparasites. Of the six species identified,Eimeriasp. was the most prevalent (76.47%), followed by hookworm (66.67%),Strongyloidessp. (41.18%), Ascaris sp. (29.41%),Balantidiumsp. (29.41%), and Fasciola sp. (21.15%), respectively. The highest mean intensity (MI) was recorded inEimeriasp. (30.71±8.57), followed by hookworm (3.59±0.63),Strongyloidessp. (3.20±0.72),Balantidiumsp. (1.86±0.63), Ascaris sp. (1.27±0.34), and Fasciola sp. (1.25±0.45). All three troops in the study area had a 100% prevalence of enteroparasites, with troop 3 having the highest MI (76.20±24.42), followed by troop 2 (28.60±12.52) and troop 1 (26.95±5.29). All parasites found are of medical importance, and the results confirm that long-tailed macaques harbor enteroparasites that may transmit to other animals and humans. The findings help strengthen macaques management to ensure this species’ safety, residents, and visitors.

Keywords: Host-to-host transmission; Long-tailed macaque; Parasites; Primate-human interaction