Molecular Surveillance of Babesia sp. Infections in Lemurs of Madagascar

Abstract

Tick-borne diseases, particularly babesiosis, are an increasing health concern that threatens both wildlife conservation and public health. Babesiosis is caused by a tick-borne protozoan parasite from the genus Babesia that affects a wide range of vertebrate hosts. The parasite targets red blood cells, causing symptoms that can range from mild to severe and may lead to mortality. Evidence of Babesia infections in endemic lemur species in Madagascar is emerging. However, little is known about the ecology and epidemiology of Babesia in Madagascar’s endangered primate community. This study investigates the environmental and host factors that may affect the distribution of this parasite in sympatric lemurs, with a focus on location, seasons, and species-specific variation. Blood samples from eight lemur species across four sites were tested for Babesia using quantitative PCR. Overall, there was a 28% prevalence of Babesia infections across the sites. Prevalence was highest in Indri indri, Propithecus diadema, and Avahi spp. Understanding patterns of infection across species and environment supports insights into transmission dynamics and identifying vulnerable populations. These findings highlight the importance of disease surveillance in wildlife, not only to support the persistence of lemur populations but also to evaluate the risk of potential pathogen spillovers across species.