First phylogenetic evidence of Trichuris spp. affecting Hamadryas baboon (Papio Hamadryas) in Egypt.

Trichuris spp., known as whipworms, are recognized to infect numerous mammalian species including humans and non-human primates. In the present study, forty five fecal samples collected from Hamadryasis baboon at Alexandria Zoo, Egypt were examined microscopically using concentration sedimentation and flotation techniques to detect prevalence of Trichuris spp. Furthermore,the genetic variation of Trichuris spp. recovered from naturally infected Hamadryasis baboon , was analyzed using the ribosomal DNA (ITS) as molecular marker by PCR and sequencing. By combining this dataset with Genbank records for Trichuris isolated from other humans, non-human primates and pigs and phylogenetic analysis, we proved the presence of two distinct Trichuris genotypes that infect baboons, T. trichura and T. suis., which is important for the ongoing treatment of Trichuris that estimated to infect 600 million people worldwide. To our knowledge this is the first study in Egypt genetically characterized Trichuris spp in Hamadryasis baboon, with future prospective to detect genetic characterization of Trichuris in other non-human primates.