TRYPANOSOMA-CRUZI INFECTION OF FREE-RANGING LION-TAILED MACAQUES (MACACA-SILENUS) AND RING-TAILED LEMURS (LEMUR-CATTA) ON ST.-CATHERINES-ISLAND, GEORGIA, USA

Free-ranging Old World primates released on St. Catherine's Island, Ge orgia (USA), were tested for infection with Trypanosoma cruzi as part of a study of the epizootiology of sylvatic T. cruzi in the southeaste rn USA. The parasite was observed in liver infusion tryptose medium cu ltures of blood from seven of 11 lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) and one of 19 ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta). Cultures of blood fro m 10 black and white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata) were all negati ve. Analysis of small subunit ribosomal RNA gene polymorphisms detecte d using polymerase chain reaction techniques indicates that the parasi tes isolated from both the lion-tailed macaques and the ring-tailed le mur are probably the same as T. cruzi parasites isolated from raccoons (Procyon lotor) trapped on St. Catherine's Island and other locations in the southeastern USA. Foraging lion-tailed macaques were observed to handle and partially consume specimens of Triatoma sanguisuga, the triatomine bug thought to be a vector of T. cruzi in the southeastern USA. Oral transmission of the parasite may have occurred as a result o f this behavior.