Detection of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in wild animals in Brazil

Abstract

BackgroundToxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, that affects all warm-blooded animals, including wild animals. The increased number of cases of parasitic infections is mainly due to the destruction of environmental conservation areas, which is driving wild animals out of their habitats and towards urban areas. In this study, the occurrence of T. gondii infection was investigated by the modified agglutination test (MAT) in 26 different species of run over and injured wild animals that were treated at a Brazilian university veterinary hospital, from June 2007 to August 2008.FindingsOf the studied animals, six (23.1%; CI95% 11.1-42.2%) had T. gondii antibodies, with titers equal to 10 (4; 66.7%) and 40 (2; 33.3%). The species Pseudalopex vetulus, Cerdocyon thous, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris and Tapyrus terrestris had titers of 10, while Alouatta caraya and Puma concolor had titers of 40. There was no significant association regarding age, gender or purpose of care (p > 0.05).ConclusionsCarnivorous, herbivorous and omnivorous wild animals are potential sentinels of human toxoplasmosis, especially when wild felids are present, maintaining the environmental contamination.

Toxoplasma gondii survey in cats from two environments of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil by Modified Agglutination Test on sera and filter-paper

“…Little is known about natural infection by T. gondii for this species. Pelecaniformes (herons, egrets and ibis) and Capybaras have significant prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in other Brazilian environments [ 29 , 33 , 64 , 65 ]. But even if they are plentiful at RD, they are improbable prey for feral cats.…”

Detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in wild free-living birds and mammals from the northwest region of São Paulo state, Brazil

“…Among mammals, 29.2% (7/24) were seropositive including Lycalopex vetulus (hoary fox), Chrysocyon brachyurus (maned wolf), Alouatta caraya (black howler monkey), Cerdocyon thous (crab-eating fox), and Mazama gouazoubira (gray brocket deer) species. No statistical analysis was performed due to the limited number and convenience of the samples.Serological evidence of contact with T. gondii had previously been reported in free-living animals of the C. plancus, M. gouazoubira, and L. vetulus species in the study byVitaliano et al (2014); in A. caraya and C. thous by DaSilva et al (2014), and C. brachyurus byVitaliano et al…”

Detection of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in neotropical primates from São Paulo state, Brazil

“…Primates can be sentinels for human infection, as they have access to human sites and eat the same food potentially contaminated with soil oocysts. In addition, in some geographical areas, primates are hunted and used as food themselves, which represents another mode of transmission (da Silva et al, 2014).…”