Zoonotic parasite infections of the Arabian sacred baboon Papio hamadryas arabicus Thomas in Asir Province, Saudi Arabia.

Evidence of zoonotic parasite infection was recorded in the faeces of the Arabian Sacred Baboon in human populated residential and non-residential areas in Asir, Southwestern Saudi Arabia. Cysts of Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba histolytica, and ova of Hymenolepis nana, Enterobius vermicularis, Ascaris sp., Trichuris sp., and a hookworm were encountered in 45 (about 39%) of 115 faecal samples examined. A higher rate of infection was observed in the residential areas. Most of the parasites recovered in the baboons were also found to infect humans in these areas. Since this primate has previously been reported to be of zoonotic potential, it is suggested that serious measures should be brought into effect to prevent human-baboon contact in the areas investigated.