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LEISHMANIA AMAZONENSIS INFECTIONS IN ORYZOMYS ACRITUS AND ORYZOMYS NITIDUS FROM BOLIVIA

Three of thirteen Oryzomys acritus, Emmons and Patton 2005 (Rodentia: Muridae: Sigmodontinae) and 3 of 17 Oryzomys nitidus, Thomas 1884, collected from Noël Kempff National Park, Bolivia, from 2002 to 2005, tested positive for Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis or L. (L.) mexicana and negative for Leishmania (Viannia) spp. using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Based on previous records of L. (L.) amazonensis in humans, rodents, and sand flies from Bolivia, and the geographic distributions of L. (L.) amazonensis and L. (L.) mexicana, it was concluded that the Oryzomys were infected with L. (L.) amazonensis. These results identify two additional species of Oryzomys as hosts of L. (L.) amazonensis, and identify an ecological region of Bolivia where L. (L.) amazonensis is enzootic.

Received November 10, 2005. Accepted for publication July 27, 2006.

Acknowledgments The authors thank the Weedon Foundation for its support of field research at El Refugio Huanchaca, and Ian and Barbara Phillips for their inestimable help there. This work was part of Emmons’ studies of the biodiversity of Parque Nacional Noël Kempff Mercado (PNNKM), in collaboration with the Museo de Historia Natural Noël Kempff Mercado. The authors thank Fundacion Amigos de la Naturaleza for their continuing support of research at Los Fierros, and Damián Rumiz and Kathia Rivero for help with logistics and permits. Permits: U.S. Public Health Importation Permit No. 2002-10-190, scientific permit from Bolivia Ministerio de Desarollo Sostenible y Planificacion.

Financial support: This work received financial support from U.S. National Institutes of Health Grant GM55337 (SFK, PCM), the Sr. Joseph Marie Armer Chair fund, the Amazon Conservation Association (LHE), and Center for Disease Control and Prevention Grant H75/CCH615041 (PCM). The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) assisted with publication expenses.

^* Address correspondence to Sara F. Kerr, Biology Department, University of the Incarnate Word, 4301 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209. E-mail: kerr{at}uiwtx.edu

Authors’ addresses: Sara F. Kerr, Chang Liu, Maria Villegas, and Robert Miranda, Biology Department, University of the Incarnate Word, 4301 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209. Louise Emmons, Smithsonian Institution, Division of Mammals NB390 MRC108, PO Box 37012 Washington, DC 20013-7012. Peter C. Melby and Luis E. Perez, South Texas Veterans Health Care System and University of Texas Health Science Center, 7400 Merton Minter, San Antonio, TX 78229.