Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis spp. in road-killed wild mammals from the Central Western Region of the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Road-killed wild animals host zoonotic pathogens such as Toxoplasma gondii, offering a new opportunity for the epidemiological study of these infectious organisms. Methods: This investigation aimed to determine the presence of T. gondii and other apicomplexan parasites in tissue samples of 64 road-killed wild animals, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Positive samples were then typed by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using 7 markers: SAG1, 5′-3′SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, c29-6, PK1, and Apico. PCR-RFLP targeting 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes was also performed on all samples to detect other apicomplexan parasites. Results: T. gondii DNA was detected in 16 tissue samples from 8 individual animals, as follows: 1 Cerdocyon thous (crab-eating fox), 1 Didelphis albiventris (white-eared opossum), 1 Lutreolina crassicaudata (lutrine opossum), 2 Myrmecophaga tridactyla (giant anteater), 1 Procyon cancrivorus (crab-eating raccoon), and 2 Sphiggurus spinosus (Paraguay hairy dwarf porcupine). Seven different T. gondii genotypes were identified, 6 of which were novel. Typing by 18S rRNA verified these 16 T. gondii-infected samples, and identified 1 Sarcocystis spp.-infected animal [Dasypus novemcinctus (nine-banded armadillo)]. The amplified T. gondii (GenBank accession No. L37415.1) and Sarcocystis spp. 18S rRNA products were confirmed by sequencing. Conclusions: Our results indicate that T. gondii is commonly present in wild mammals, which act as sources of infection for humans and animals, including other wild species. The approach employed herein proved useful for detecting T. gondii and Sarcocystis spp. in the environment and identifying their natural reservoirs, contributing to our understanding of host-parasite interactions.

Molecular identification of <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> in roadkill wild animals in Yucatan, Mexico

“…Moreover, molecular tools allow T. gondii identification with high sensitivity and specificity, without the need of arduous microbiological cultures and histopathological examinations. 13 In Yucatan, Mexico, T. gondii is widespread. There are frequent reports of infection in domestic animals such as cats 14 and pigs, 15,16 as well as in wild animals such as opossums 17 and synanthropic rodents, 18 and also in humans.…”

VALORES HEMATOLÓGICOS DE LOBINHOS (Cerdocyon thous) DO PANTANAL, MATO GROSSO DO SUL, BRASIL NATURALMENTE INFECTADOS E NÃO INFECTADOS POR Trypanosoma cruzi e T. evansi

“…Contudo, a fácil adaptabilidade em ambientes variados promove efeitos negativos para a espécie, principalmente quando o hábitat é compartilhado com seres humanos e animais domésticos, de companhia e de produção. Como resultado desse compartilhamento, diversos parasitas comuns a outras espécies têm sido relatados em lobinhos, como bactérias (8)(9)(10) , vírus (11)(12)(13) e protozoários gastrintestinais e sanguíneos (14)(15)(16)(17)(18) .…”

Molecular detection of fungi of public health importance in wild animals from Southern Brazil

“…Studies involving wildlife are restricted due to difficulties in capturing and obtaining samples from these animals. Thus, using samples from wildlife road kills is an alternative to elucidate the epidemiology of diseases of public health importance, including pathogenic fungi …”