Zoonotic parasites in wild animals such as carnivores and primates that are traded illegally in Brazil

Abstract

Brazil accounts for around 20% of all animal species, but these are constantly threatened by illegal anthropic activities. Unfortunately, animal dealers are totally unaware of the sanitary risks among wild animals, or that occurrences of parasites in these animals are bioindicators for their current sanitary status within the ecosystem in which they live. This status is an important parameter with regard to assessing the spreading of pathogens. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform a survey of zoonotic parasites in carnivores and non-human primates that are illegally traded in Brazil. Between June 2016 and July 2017, 43 wild animals (20 carnivores and 23 non-human primates) were presented at the Wild Animal Screening Center of Sergipe (CETAS/SE). Fecal and blood samples were obtained and analyzed to detect occurrences of pathogens of medical and veterinary importance, such as Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., Dirofilaria immitis, Leishmania infantum, Leishmania braziliensis, Toxoplasma gondii, Trypanosoma cruzi and gastrointestinal helminths. Out of all the animals analyzed, 55.8% (24/43) were found to be positive for at least one parasite species, i.e. 41.7% and 58.3% of the carnivores and non-human primates, respectively. However, all the animals were negative for D. immitis, L. braziliensis and T. cruzi. These findings demonstrate that illegally traded wild animals may represent a risk to public health because of absence of sanitary control during their transportation. Therefore, preventive measures might be employed to avoid infection of these animals and people in close contact with them.

COVID-19 and zoonoses in Brazil: Environmental scan of one health preparedness and response

“…Despite these initiatives, practical implementation of the OH approach has proven challenging. Brazil is considered an area of high risk for emergence of zoonoses mainly due to climate change, large-scale deforestation and urbanization, high wildlife biodiversity, wide dry frontier, and poor control of wild animals' traffic [ [26] , [27] , [28] ]. Furthermore, there is still little interaction between government agencies and lack of resources in some sectors, as well as a need for a better information system on OH that can act as a trigger for the activation of contingency plans when a zoonotic disease event is detected [ 1 ].…”

Wildlife as Food and Medicine in Brazil: A Neglected Zoonotic Risk?

“…Animal trafficking is also a strong potential source of mammal-to-mammal zoonotic infection [ 55 ]. Commonly consumed species, in particular mammals, are known for carrying zoonotic pathogens ( Figure 3 ) [ 10 ].…”

Wildlife trafficking via social media in Brazil

“…Yet many of the species in demand for 'exotic' pets also carry the risk of transmitting diseases to humans. For instance, in one small study in Brazil, 55.8% of animals (24 out of 43 total -41.7% and 58.3% of the carnivores and nonhuman primates respectively) were found to have at least one zoonotic parasite species (Lima et al 2021). Bezerra-Santos et al (2021) cite instances of documented cases of transmission of viruses, bacteria, and parasites from 'exotic' pets such as small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and birds to humans.…”