Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in England and Wales

Abstract

BackgroundToxoplasma gondii is found on all continents and can infect all endothermic vertebrates. Toxoplasmosis is a globally important zoonosis with potentially devastating health impacts both for humans and a range of domestic and wild species. The World Health Organisation have repeatedly recommended the collection of accurate epidemiological data for T. gondii, yet despite recognised links between infection of wildlife, domestic animals and humans, seroprevalence in wild species is rarely monitored. Here, serological investigation using the Gold Standard Sabin-Feldman Dye Test was used to test for T. gondii in Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) found dead, mainly as road-kill, in England and Wales. This is the first spatially widespread study of T. gondii in UK wildlife, and the first extensive survey of T. gondii in Eurasian otters, a sentinel species of fresh waters.FindingsInfection was both common (39.5% prevalence, n = 271) and widespread, with significantly more infection in the east than the west of the UK. There was an increase in seroprevalence with age, but no sex bias.ConclusionsThe relatively high prevalence of T. gondii in a predominantly piscivorous freshwater mammal suggests widespread faecal contamination of freshwater ecosystems with oocysts. Continued surveillance of the Eurasian otter for T. gondii is valuable because of conservation concerns due to the otter’s ‘near threatened’ status on the IUCN Red List and because of the host’s role as a sentinel for freshwater health.

Repurposing the Open Access Malaria Box To Discover Potent Inhibitors of Toxoplasma gondii and Entamoeba histolytica

“…Globally, toxoplasmosis is an important zoonosis with potentially devastating health impacts for humans and for a range of domestic and wild species (2). In humans, the causative agent (Toxoplasma gondii) has a simple life cycle consisting of two asexual parasite forms, tachyzoites and bradyzoites, that affect more than one-third of the world's population (3).Tachyzoites are rapidly growing obligate intracellular T. gondii forms that are commonly found in acutely infected individuals.…”

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in Crassostrea spp. oysters cultured in an estuarine region in eastern Amazon

“…Serologic studies in marine animals have shown contamination of aquatic environments. Anti‐ T. gondii antibodies were found in sea mammals in Mexico, otters ( Lutra lutra ) in England and cetaceans in the Philippines (Alvarado‐Esquivel, Sánchez‐Okrucky, & Dubey, ; Chadwick et al, ; Obusan, Aragones, Salibay, Siringan, & Rivera, ). Probable contamination pathways are the ingestion of oocysts present in the water or of invertebrates contaminated with oocysts.…”

Domestic Cats: Management of a Charismatic Non-Native Species

“…These oocysts have the potential to linger in the environment for up to 18 months (Frenkel 2000, Tenter et al 2000 and may contaminate terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments. As a result, T. gondii infection has been identified in a wide variety of species including endangered Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi), threatened southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis), endangered Nēnē (Branta sandvicensis), endangered Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus), and Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra), among others (Work et al 2002, Conrad et al 2005, Honnold et al 2005, Bossart et al 2012, Chadwick et al 2013).…”