Detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in small wild mammals from preserved and non-preserved areas in the Caatinga biome, a semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil

Horta, Maurício Cláudio; Guimarães, Maíra Freitas; Arraes-Santos, Ana I.; Araujo, Andreina C.; Dubey, J. P.; Labruna, Marcelo B.; Gennari, Solange Maria; Pena, Hilda Fátima Jesus

doi:10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.08.007

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…In addition, water and damp soil can support the stability of oocysts for longer periods (43,108). The oocysts are able to survive in moist soil for up to a year and low humidity and high temperatures can kill them (76,118). Rodents such as muskrats that swim in water or semi-aquatic species (capybaras) show higher infection rates (ranging from 17 to 60%) than those that are less exposed to water environments (13).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global Status of Toxoplasma gondii Seroprevalence in Rodents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

et al. 2020

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Toxoplasmosis is one of the most prevalent infections in humans and animals caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). Rodents, as intermediate and reservoir hosts, play a key role in the maintenance and transmission of T. gondii. They can be contaminated and maintain the parasite in the form of cysts in their bodies, demonstrating an infection source for their offsprings, predators (particularly felids), and other animals. Therefore, the present systematic review and meta-analysis study was carried out to evaluate the global seroprevalence of T. gondii in these mammals. For achieving the purpose of the current study, six English databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, and Google Scholar) were systematically searched for related studies from 1970 to 2018. Finally, a total of 52,372 records were screened, 105 records including 26,221 rodents were incorporated in the present study. By random effect models, the overall seroprevalence was calculated at 6% (95% CI = 6-7%), with the highest amount was observed in Africa (24%) and South America (18%), and the lowest amount in Europe (1%). The subgroup data analysis by gender manifested that the prevalence of Immunoglobulin G antibodies did not differ between genders (P > 0.05). Due to the significant heterogeneity, meta-regression models were applied based on serological techniques and continental regions; however, the obtained values were not statistically significant (P = 0.480 and P = 0.295, respectively). The present study revealed a relatively low level of T. gondii seroprevalence in rodents; however, if they were the main food source for their predators, they would cause high transmission of T. gondii.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global Status of Toxoplasma gondii Seroprevalence in Rodents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

et al. 2020

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“…For example, a higher soil humidity along rivers and brooks could contribute to the detected higher seroprevalence of antibodies in alluvial habitats (Košice alluvium and Poiplie). According to some authors, oocysts are able to survive in moist soil for up to one year [ 33 ], especially if they are protected from ultraviolet light [ 34 ]. Higher seropositivity in animals exposed to humid and water environments was also described, e.g., by Dabritz et al and Poulsen et al [ 9 , 35 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rodents as Sentinels for Toxoplasma gondii in Rural Ecosystems in Slovakia—Seroprevalence Study

et al. 2023

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Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous intracellular parasite with felids as definitive hosts and a broad range of intermediate hosts. Rodents are considered suitable sentinels for prevalence studies of many infections, including toxoplasmosis. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii in rodents from different localities of Slovakia and investigate the correlation between the seropositivity and the species, age, sex, and sexual activity of animals. Altogether, 1009 wild rodents belonging to 9 species were trapped in 2015 and 2019, and antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 6.7% of the animals. Seropositivity was detected in seven species, ranging from 0.0% in Micromys minutus and Apodemus sylvaticus to 7.7% in A. flavicollis. The females reached significantly higher seropositivity (9.7%) than the males (3.8%), and the adults were positive significantly more often (9.2%) than the subadults (4.9%). The seropositivity differed also among localities, with significantly higher positivity detected in suburban and touristic areas (12.2%) than in localities with a lower level of human activities (5.5%). This study showed that the occurrence of T. gondii varies significantly in rodent species and habitats with various environmental conditions and different levels of anthropic use. Several biological and ecological factors, e.g., soil contamination, soil conditions, the susceptibility of rodent species etc., may influence this variability.

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“…Recent molecular studies have revealed a genotype diversity worldwide, with the largest genetic diversity in South America (Robert-Gangneux et al, 2012), specifically in Brazil (Pena et al, 2011), with reports of strains with resistance to sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine in human treatments (Bessa et al, 2021). Among the intermediate hosts, rodents (order Rodentia) play an important role in maintaining the life cycle of T. gondii , as they are one of the main food sources for wild felids (Galeh et al, 2021;Brito Jr et al, 2020;Horta et al, 2018;Gennari et al, 2015). Although histopathological lesions induced by T. gondii in rodents and other animals are suggestive of the disease, their morphological similarities with other apicomplexa require additional diagnostic tests, such as molecular and immunohistochemical exams (Harrison et al, 2007;Gardner, Payer et al, 1999).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxoplasmosis in a free ranging hairy dwarf porcupine ( Sphiggurus spinosus) with a novel genotype

Santos

Navas-Suarez

Guerra

et al. 2021

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Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the ubiquitous coccidia Toxoplasma gondii. Rodents play an important role in maintaining its life cycle, as they are one of the main diet sources for felids (wild and domestic), the unique definitive hosts. However, reports of toxoplasmosis in porcupines (Rodentia Order) are uncommon, with gaps concerning its pathophysiology. South America is the continent with the greatest genetic diversity of rodents and T. gondii. A free-ranging hairy dwarf porcupine was admitted to a wildlife rescue center with a history of trauma. During rehabilitation, the animal presented neurological symptoms (sporadic episodes of hind limbs paresis) and died five months later. The main findings during necropsy were brain congestion and severe incisor overgrowth associated with maxillary perforation. The histopathological exam showed moderate encephalitis, with variable-sized round cysts, positive for PAS stain and immunohistochemistry for T. gondii. Additionally, two cysts were observed in the medulla of the adrenal gland. Molecular techniques were performed to characterize the parasite load by qPCR (Cq=30) and the genotype by PCR-RFLP with 11 markers, which revealed a new genotype. This case adds to the body of knowledge in comparative pathology of Neotropical Rodentia and reports a new genotype circulating in South America.

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Detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in small wild mammals from preserved and non-preserved areas in the Caatinga biome, a semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil

Cited by 6 publications

References 10 publications

Global Status of Toxoplasma gondii Seroprevalence in Rodents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Global Status of Toxoplasma gondii Seroprevalence in Rodents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Rodents as Sentinels for Toxoplasma gondii in Rural Ecosystems in Slovakia—Seroprevalence Study

Toxoplasmosis in a free ranging hairy dwarf porcupine ( Sphiggurus spinosus) with a novel genotype

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