Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic and wild animals from the Fernando de Noronha, Brazil.

J Parasitol

Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco 52. 171-900, Brazil.

Published: June 2012

AI Article Synopsis

  • Fernando de Noronha, an archipelago in Brazil, has diverse wildlife, including both domestic and wild animals, prompting a study to assess the presence of Toxoplasma gondii among these species.
  • Blood samples from 764 animals were collected and tested, revealing high seroprevalence rates of T. gondii antibodies in various species, including 80% in chickens and nearly 80% in cattle egrets.
  • The findings suggest that T. gondii infections are widespread and endemic in animal populations of the archipelago, highlighting a significant public health concern.

Article Abstract

Fernando de Noronha is an archipelago of 21 islands and islets in the Atlantic Ocean, state of Pernambuco, Brazil, which has a varied biodiversity including alien species or sinantropic animals. The objective here was to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic and wild animals from Fernando de Noronha archipelago, Brazil. Between July 2007 and May 2010, blood samples were collected from 764 animals (533 domestic and 231 wild animals). Sera were tested by the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) or the modified agglutination test (MAT), or by both. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 80 (80.0%) of 100 chickens ( Gallus domesticus ), 3 (3.0%) of 100 cattle ( Bos taurus ), 59 (60.8%) of 97 sheep ( Ovis aries ), 9 (81.8%) of 11 goats ( Capra hircus ), 7 (43.7%) of 16 horses ( Equus caballus ), 70 (59.3%) of 118 cats ( Felis catus ), 36 (39.6%) of 91 dogs ( Canis familiaris ), 13 (38.2%) of 34 black rats ( Rattus rattus ), and 157 (79.7%) of 197 cattle egrets ( Bubulcus ibis ). Results indicate endemic infection by this zoonotic parasite among the animal and avian fauna in this archipelago from Brazil.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1645/GE-2910.1DOI Listing

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