Toxoplasma Gondii Infection in the Eurasian Beaver (Castor Fiber) in Switzerland: Seroprevalence, Genetic Characterization, and Clinicopathologic Relevance

Abstract

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Exposure of Urban European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) to Toxoplasma gondii in Highly Populated Areas of Northeast Spain

“…However, several studies have reported differences in T. gondii infection in small mammals from different highly anthropised areas in Europe [ 7 , 18 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ] ( Table 1 ), suggesting different rates of exposure to the parasite associated with specific factors from the studied areas (i.e., environmental conditions, host communities, host susceptibility, T. gondii lineages).…”

“…In urban areas, feral cat populations reach high densities, increasing the probability of T. gondii transmission between hosts [ 5 ]. From this perspective, recent studies have shown significant positive associations between human population density and T. gondii oocysts shedding in domestic and wild felids [ 5 ] and seroprevalence in wild mammals [ 4 , 6 , 7 ]. Therefore, urbanisation may create ideal environmental conditions for the ecology of this parasite [ 5 , 8 , 9 ].…”