Toxoplasma gondii among captive wild mammals in zoos in Brazil and Cuba: seroprevalence and associated risk factors

Villar-Echarte, Ginette; Arruda, Igor Falco; Barbosa, Alynne da Silva; Guzmán, Raiden Grandía; Augusto, Anderson M.; Troccoli, F; Segon, Alejandro Manuel Rodriguez; Santos, Ana Letícia Carvalho; Zanotto, Paula Ferraz de Camargo; Gava, Mariana Zanchetta e; Langoni, Hélio; Amendoeira, Maria Regina Reis

doi:10.1590/s1984-29612021053

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The follow-up of IgG anti- T. gondii titers was performed only in the surviving black-and-gold howler monkey ( A. caraya , ID 2576) in the following five weeks post clinical signs onset. A serum sample of a Colombian red howler monkey ( A. seniculus ) with detectable antibodies by MAT (1:4,096) was used as positive control [47]. In view of the positive result for NPs, an employee from CPRJ that was pregnant at the time of the outbreak was also tested for the pathogen.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lessons from a multilaboratorial task force for diagnosis of a fatal toxoplasmosis outbreak in captive primates in Brazil

Schiffler,

Moreira,

Pereira

et al. 2023

Preprint

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As exemplified by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, infectious diseases may emerge and spread rapidly, often causing serious economic losses and public health concerns. In fact, disease outbreaks have become increasingly common, especially those of zoonotic origin. The Brazilian Ministry of Health is responsible for national epizootic surveillance. However, the system’s focus primarily on diseases affecting humans has led to the neglect of other zoonotic diseases. In this report, we present an integrated investigation of an outbreak that occurred during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic among captive neotropical primates housed at a primatology center in Brazil. After presenting a range of non-specific clinical signs, including fever, prostration, inappetence, and abdominal pain, ten primates from five different species died within approximately four days. Despite the state of health emergency due to the pandemic, a network of volunteer researchers was established to investigate the outbreak. A wide range of high-resolution techniques was used for different pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2 (RTq-PCR, ELISA and IHC), Toxoplasma gondii (IHC and IFA) and Escherichia coli (IFA), as well as a portable Metagenomic Sequencing utilizing Nanopore Technology. Within a span of four days after necropsies, we successfully identified T. gondii as the causative agent of this outbreak. This case highlights some of the obstacles faced with the current Brazilian surveillance system, which is still limited. A cross-platform interdisciplinary investigation could be a possible model for future epizootic investigations in non-human animals.Author summaryThe Brazilian epizootic surveillance system, under the regulation of the Ministry of Health, has been established to address a national list of compulsory notifiable diseases. However, focusing mainly on the risks to humans causes other zoonoses to be neglected. Here we present an outbreak that occurred during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic that affected eleven neotropical primates (NP) belonging to six different species. Within four days of exhibiting a range of non-specific clinical signs, including fever, prostration, inappetence, and abdominal pain, ten NPs died. Despite testing negative for pathogens included in the national surveillance policy, a collaborative group of researchers investigated the outbreak in detail. Using integrated diagnostic techniques, we identifiedToxoplasma gondiias the causative agent four days after necropsy. Toxoplasmosis causes devastating acute death outbreaks in neotropical primates and is currently absent in the national guidelines. This unified effort proved the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary collaborative surveillance network in facilitating precise diagnoses.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lessons from a multilaboratorial task force for diagnosis of a fatal toxoplasmosis outbreak in captive primates in Brazil

Schiffler,

Moreira,

Pereira

et al. 2023

Preprint

Self Cite

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“…It is worth noting that T. gondii seropositive wild animals kept by the Zoo, as well as free-roaming ducks ( Cairina moschata ) captured in the same area were reported almost concomitantly ( Santos et al, 2022 ; Villar-Echarte et al, 2021 ). In this context, it’s possible to infer that there is a common source of T. gondii infection available in the area for all the animals.…”

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confidence: 99%

Occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii and other gastrointestinal parasites in free-roaming cats from the Rio de Janeiro zoo

Arruda,

Ramos,

Barbosa

et al. 2023

Braz. J. Vet. Med.

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This communication aimed to determine the frequency of infection by T. gondii and other gastrointestinal parasites in free-living cats captured in BioParque do Rio (Fundação RioZoo), Brazil. To this end, 58 blood and 51 fecal samples were collected from 68 cats from July 2019 to September 2020. The serum obtained was analyzed by indirect fluorescent antibody test for anti- T. gondii IgG. Fecal samples were examined by microscopic parasitological techniques. Of the total, 10.3% of the animals presented anti- T. gondii IgG. Parasitic structures were observed in 39.2% of the fecal samples. Hookworms were the most detected parasites (19.6%) followed by Cystoisospora sp. (11.7%), Dipylidium caninum (7.8%) and Toxocara cati (3.9%). These results indicated the exposure of this population of stray cats to potentially zoonotic parasites, which in addition to causing possible damage to domestic and wild animal health, also pose risks to public health.

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A systematic review of the microbial community in taiassuids: a One Health approach

et al. 2023

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Toxoplasma gondii among captive wild mammals in zoos in Brazil and Cuba: seroprevalence and associated risk factors

Cited by 4 publications

References 23 publications

Lessons from a multilaboratorial task force for diagnosis of a fatal toxoplasmosis outbreak in captive primates in Brazil

Lessons from a multilaboratorial task force for diagnosis of a fatal toxoplasmosis outbreak in captive primates in Brazil

Occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii and other gastrointestinal parasites in free-roaming cats from the Rio de Janeiro zoo

A systematic review of the microbial community in taiassuids: a One Health approach

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