Neotropical Primates and Their Susceptibility to Toxoplasma gondii: New Insights for an Old Problem

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in captive non‐human primates in the Amazon region, Brazil

“…6 From the 18 Old World monkeys tested, 22.2% were positive to T. gondii, similarly with prevalence rates described in Brazil, 13 are frequently found with antibodies to T. gondii. 4,12 In our study, there was higher frequency of positive animals among Sapajus monkeys.…”

“…From the 18 Old World monkeys tested, 22.2% were positive to T. gondii , similarly with prevalence rates described in Brazil, but 52.2% of the New World monkeys were positive. Although the higher susceptibility to T. gondii of New World monkeys has not been completely elucidated, their deficient immune response to the parasite may be due to lack of contact with felines for over 20 million years during the evolution of New World monkeys . However, the response to T. gondii differs among New World monkeys species, given that monkeys of the genus Sapajus present a mild form of the disease and are frequently found with antibodies to T. gondii .…”

“…1,2 T. gondii infections in captive animals are of interest because many species, especially non-human primates, often die due to severe toxoplasmosis. 3,4 There are many reports of toxoplasmosis in New World monkeys, which are more susceptible than Old World monkeys and rarely survive the disease. 5 Squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) frequently developing acute multifocal necrotizing inflammation and fatal disease.…”

Fatal toxoplasmosis in a southern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides) from São Paulo state, Brazil: Pathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular characterization

“…Toxoplasmosis, caused by the obligate intracellular and zoonotic coccidium Toxoplasma gondii (Phylum Apicomplexa), has a worldwide distribution. Virtually, all endothermic species may get infected, and New World primates (NWPs) have shown to be highly susceptible yet with some variability . In Brazil, the endemic southern muriqui ( Brachyteles arachnoides ) is endangered .…”

“…Virtually, all endothermic species may get infected, and New World primates (NWPs) have shown to be highly susceptible yet with some variability. 1 In Brazil, the endemic southern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides) is endangered. 2 Knowledge on health and disease aspects on this species is very limited; 3 however, direct human activities, for example, deforestation and hunting, are the major threat to their conservation.…”