The role played by sympatric collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu), white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari), and feral pig (Sus scrofa) as maintenance hosts for Trypanosoma evansi and Trypanosoma cruzi in a sylvatic area of Brazil

Abstract

The Brazilian Pantanal has been considered one of the richest and most diverse wetland ecosystems in the world. It is occupied by cattle ranching, and a variety of wildlife species share the same habitats with domestic livestock. We investigated infections of Trypanosoma evansi and Trypanosoma cruzi in the sympatric suiformes-collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu), white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari), and feral pig (Sus scrofa) by parasitological, serological, and molecular tests. Additionally, we evaluated the health status of both positive and negative suiformes by hematological and biochemical parameters. The results show that peccaries and feral pigs play an important role on the maintenance of both T. evansi and T. cruzi in the Brazilian Pantanal. Health impairment was observed only in the white-lipped peccary infected with T. evansi. Despite presenting low T. evansi parasitemia, all infected white-lipped peccaries displayed low hematocrit values and marked leucopenia. The hematological values showed that the T. evansi infection is more severe in young white-lipped peccaries. The presented data show that feral pigs and peccaries are immersed in the transmission net of both trypanosome species, T. cruzi and T. evansi, in the Pantanal region.

SWINE INFECTIOUS AGENTS INTAYASSU PECARIANDPECARI TAJACUTISSUE SAMPLES FROM BRAZIL

“…In CPs, this parasite was found in 12% (1/8) and 37% (3/8) of the samples tested by PCR and IFAT, respectively. Trypanosoma cruzi was detected by IFAT in 57% (39/68) of WLPs and 25% (2/ 8) of CPs (Herrera et al 2008). In addition, antibodies against Brucella spp.…”

“…Serologic surveys of free-ranging CP populations living in contact with human settlements and domestic animals in Brazil have shown high antibody titers against the infectious agents that cause leptospirosis, brucellosis, trypanosomiasis, and bluetongue (Herrera et al 2008;Freitas et al 2010;Gerber et al 2012). In addition to the work done on antibody prevalences, investigators have also detected trypanosome and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae DNA in CPs and WLPs.…”

“…In addition to the work done on antibody prevalences, investigators have also detected trypanosome and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae DNA in CPs and WLPs. Previous studies have shown that peccaries could act as potential reservoirs of infectious diseases for domestic and wild swine (Sus scrofa) because these species share common pathogens (Herrera et al 2008;Coutinho et al 2012). Although there have been some efforts to clarify the susceptibility and incidence of disease in peccaries, their role as potential reservoirs for disease is largely unknown.…”

Orbivirus Infections in Collared Peccaries (Tayassu tajacu) in Southeastern Brazil

“…Wildlife shares habitat with livestock in this area (Labruna et al, 2002); therefore, collared peccaries could play a role in the maintenance and spread of BTV/EHDV, as suggested for others pathogens in this area (Herrera et al, 2008). However, it is premature to implicate the collared peccary as a BTV/EHDV reservoir or to speculate about the source of the infection.…”

“…Serologic surveys of free-ranging collared peccary populations living in close contact with human settlements and domestic animals in Brazil showed high antibody titers against the agents of leptospirosis, brucellosis and trypanosomiasis (Nava and Cullen, 2003;Herrera et al, 2008). Although there have been some efforts to clarify the susceptibility and incidence of diseases in collared peccary, the role of this species as a potential source of pathogens for other wild and domestic animals and for humans is largely unknown.…”