Molecular and serological evidence of Pneumocystis circulation in a social organization of healthy macaques (Macaca fascicularis)

Simian populations represent valuable models for understanding the epidemiology of human pneumocystosis. The present study aims to describe the circulation of Pneumocystis organisms within a social organization of healthy crab-eating macaques (Macaca fascicularis) living in a natural setting in France. Animals were followed for up to 2 years. Deep nasal swab and blood samples were collected monthly from each animal under general anaesthesia. Environmental air was sampled for a 1 week period every month in the park where the macaques dwelt. Pneumocystis DNA was detected by nested-PCIR of mitochondrial large subunit rRNA (mtLSU) gene in nasal swab and air samples. Anti-Pneumocystis IgG antibodies were detected in serum samples by indirect immuno-fluorescence assay. Pneumocystis DNA was detected in 168 of 500 swab samples examined (33-6%). The number of macaques with detectable Pneumocystis DNA was highly variable from one month to another. Positive detection of Pneumocystis DNA was not related to the detection of serum anti-Pneumocystis antibody. During the second year of the study, Pneumocystis DNA was amplified more frequently from unweaned macaques than from adults or subadults. The mtLSU sequence showed marked polymorphism with eight Pneumocystis sequence types representing two distinct groups. On the whole, a constant and intensive circulation of Pneumocystis organisms within the community was observed. However, the implication of the various members of the colony was probably different and several levels of colonization by Pneumocystis may occur in immunocompetent macaques.