Gastrointestinal Parasites in Mammals of Two Italian Zoological Gardens

Abstract

The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was investigated in mammals housed in two of the main Italian zoological gardens: the Zoo Safari of Fasano (province of Bindisi, Apulia, Italy) and the Giardino Zoologico of Pistoia (Tuscany, Italy). In November 2007, fecal samples were collected at the Zoo Safari of Fasano (n = 96) and at the Giardino Zoologico of Pistoia (n = 60), from primates, carnivores, perissodactyls, artiodactyls and proboscideans. In most of the cases, the same animal species or genera were considered in both the zoos. One or more intestinal parasites were detected in 61.5% of the examined samples. However, very different percentages of protozoa- and helminth-positive samples were obtained in the animals from the two zoos, with an overall gastrointestinal parasitic infection of 77.1% in the Zoo Safari of Fasano and 36.7% in the Giardino Zoologico of Pistoia. Overall, 10% (Cryptosporidium sp.) and 43.3% (Toxocara cati, Strongyloides stercoralis, Toxascaris leonina, and hookworms) of carnivores, 66.7% (Cryptosporidium spp.) and 100% (Trichuris spp. and Strongyloides fülleborni) of primates, 25.0% (Eimeria spp., Cryptosporidium spp.), and 57.1% (Trichuris sp., Toxocara [Neoascaris] vitulorum, gastrointestinal strongyles, and Paramphistomidae) of artiodactyls were infected with protozoa and helminthes parasites, respectively. Only gastrointestinal strongyles were diagnosed in 16.7% of proboscideans and in 50.0% of perissodactyls examined. The results of this study suggest that zoonotic protozoans and gastrointestinal helminths are common in zoo mammals and that these animals may serve as a potential reservoir and transmit these parasites to humans. The different animal management in the two zoos indicates that the regular monitoring of parasitic diseases and the use of selective treatments can represent effective measures for the control of several gastrointestinal infections in zoological gardens.

Coprological prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in carnivores and small mammals at Dhaka zoo, Bangladesh

“…The occurrence of T. cati in this species has already been reported by Fagiolini et al (2010) and Gonzalez et al (2007). Lion were infected with Toxascaris leonina, Spirometra sp.…”

An eight-year survey of the intestinal parasites of carnivores, hoofed mammals, primates, ratites and reptiles in the Ljubljana zoo in Slovenia

“…The faecal analysis of primates revealed the presence of helminths (Enterobius sp., unidentified nematodes of the families Oxyuridae, Strongylidae, Strongyloididae and (Fagiolini et al 2010). A higher prevalence of protists (35%) compared to helminths (19%) was found in animals from a zoo in Malaysia (Lim et al 2008), where Ascaris sp., Balantidium coli, Blastocystis sp., Cryptosporidium sp., hookworm and Trichuris sp.…”

“…were found in their faeces after arrival of new pairs of cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus [Schreber]) from Boras zoo in Sweeden and tigers (Panthera tigris altaica Temminck). Fagiolini et al (2010) detected 43% helminths (hookworms, Strongyloides stercoralis [Bavay, 1876], Toxascaris leonina [Linstow, 1902] and Toxocara canis [Werner, 1782]) and 10% protists (Cryptosporidium sp.) in samples of carnivores from a zoo in Italy.…”

“…Helminths and protists were detected in 27% and 22% of samples, respectively with mixed infection in 12% of samples. Fagiolini et al (2010) examined samples of ungulates from a zoo in Italy. In artiodactyls, a higher percentage of helminths was found (57%, including Paramphistomidae gen.…”

MOLECULAR TYPING OF Giardia duodenalis ISOLATES FROM NONHUMAN PRIMATES HOUSED IN A BRAZILIAN ZOO

“…For this purpose, studies have been carried out on the occurrence of enteric parasites in a range of wild mammals' species, many of them kept in zoological gardens, conservation parks or sanctuaries, where captivity may raise their exposure to conditions that facilitate the spread of these pathogens 4,5,7,9,19,21 . In this context, it is important to stress that a wide range of captive species may be important reservoirs for zoonotic parasites acting as potential sources of human and animal infections and environmental contamination.…”