Parasites Circulating in Wild Synanthropic Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris): A One Health Approach

Abstract

Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are affected by a wide range of protozoan and metazoan-derived parasitic diseases. Among parasites of free-ranging capybaras are soil-, water-, food- and gastropod-borne parasitosis, today considered as opportunistic infections in semiaquatic ecosystems. The overlapping of the capybara’s natural ecological habitats with human and domestic animal activities has unfortunately increased in recent decades, thereby enhancing possible cross- or spillover events of zoonotic parasites. Due to this, three synanthropic wild capybara populations in the Orinoco Basin were studied for the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasite infections. A total of forty-six fecal samples were collected from free-ranging capybaras in close proximity to livestock farms. Macroscopical analyses, standard copromicroscopical techniques, coproELISA, PCR, and phylogenetic analysis revealed thirteen parasite taxa. In detail, the study indicates stages of five protozoans, four nematodes, one cestode, and three trematodes. Two zoonotic parasites were identified (i.e., Plagorchis muris, and Neobalantidium coli). The trematode P. muris represents the first report within South America. In addition, this report expands the geographical distribution range of echinocoelosis (Echinocoleus hydrochoeri). Overall, parasitological findings include two new host records (i.e., P. muris, and Entamoeba). The present findings collectively constitute baseline data for future monitoring of wildlife-derived anthropozoonotic parasites and call for future research on the health and the ecological impact of this largest semiaquatic rodent closely linked to humans, domestic and wild animals.

Gastrointestinal parasite assemblages from the wild rodent capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) inhabiting a natural protected area from Argentina

“…Although this study did not detect parasite species of zoonotic or veterinary importance, it remains crucial to gain fundamental understanding of the composition and dynamics of parasite communities for monitoring wildlife species in natural areas adjacent to anthropic regions, particularly synanthropic species like the capybara. Notably, the capybara can be used as an effective indicator of ecosystem health, making the continuous monitoring of their populations a matter of public health concern (Uribe et al 2021). This study represents an initial exploration of the health status and parasite composition of capybaras from LPLIR, employing a non-invasive sampling methodology to detect a wide range of parasites without disturbing the wildlife populations residing in natural reserves.…”

“…Wildlife parasites are extremely important because they can modulate the dynamics of natural populations, and some of them are shared with domestic species, which can have economic consequences in production. Furthermore, wildlife acts as a reservoir for most of human zoonotic diseases (Uribe et al 2021). The interactions between parasites and their hosts can be altered by habitat disturbance through anthropogenic activities.…”

“…Its distribution is closely associated with the presence of tropical and subtropical wetlands in South America. In addition to their natural habitats, synanthropic populations of capybaras can be found in wetland areas with strong anthropogenic impact (Uribe et al 2021). Capybara populations have also been frequently documented in urban centers, indicating their remarkable adaptability to anthropic environments (Verdade and Ferraz 2006;Alves and de Freitas 2022).…”

“…However, they play a crucial role as hosts for numerous parasites and have been previously identified as natural reservoirs for various zoonotic pathogens (Cueto 2012). Parasitological studies conducted on capybaras have unveiled the presence of more than 80 parasites across their distribution range (Alves and Freitas 2022;Assis et al 2019;Chiacchio et al 2014;Uribe et al 2021;Jones et al 2019;Ribeiro Fávaro et al 2022;Cañizales and Guerrero 2013;Dutra et al 2017, among others).…”

Update of Cestodes Parasitizing Neotropical Hystricomorphic Rodent

“…Most studies have identified six species of cestodes in the capybara with a higher prevalence than those reported in the lappe and agouti (see Table 1). Cestodes frequently reported included: Monoecocestus hagmanni Beddard, 1914, Monoecocestus hydrochoerus, Monoecocestus spp., Monoecocestus jacobi, Monoecocestus macrobursatum and Anoplocephalidae (17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27). It should be noted that in most cases cestodes found in the gastrointestinal tract did not result in clinical signs of diseases (9), however, Salas and Herrera (25) noted that there was a negative association between capybara infected with H. macrobursatum and their body condition.…”