Outcomes of Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma evansi infections on health of Southern coati (Nasua nasua), crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous), and ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) in the Brazilian Pantanal.

The occurrence of Trypanosoma spp. in wild carnivore populations has been intensively investigated during the last decades. However, the impact of these parasites on the health of free-living infected animals has been largely neglected. The Pantanal biome is the world's largest seasonal wetland, harboring a great diversity of species and habitats. This includes 174 species of mammals, of which 20 belong to the order Carnivora. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Trypanosoma evansi and Trypanosoma cruzi infections and coinfections on the health of the most abundant carnivores in the Pantanal: coati (Nasua nasua), crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous), and ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). We captured 39 coatis, 48 crab-eating foxes, and 19 ocelots. Diagnostic tests showed T. cruzi infection in 7 crab-eating foxes and 5 coatis. Additionally, 7 crab-eating foxes, 10 coatis, and 12 ocelots were positive for T. evansi. We observed coinfections in 9 crab-eating foxes, 8 coatis, and 2 ocelots. This is the first report of T. evansi and T. cruzi infection on the health of free-living ocelots and crab-eating foxes. We showed that single T. evansi or T. cruzi infection, as well as coinfection, caused some degree of anemia in all animals, as well as an indirect negative effect on body condition in coatis and crab-eating foxes via anemia indicators and immune investment, respectively. Furthermore, the vigorous immune investment observed in sampled coatis, crab-eating foxes and ocelots infected by T. evansi, T. cruzi and coinfected can be highly harmful to their health. Overall, our results indicate that single and combined infection with T. evansi and T. cruzi represent a severe risk to the health of wild carnivores in the Pantanal region.

Serological survey of Toxoplamosis in South American coatis (Nasua nasua) in Tietê Ecological Park, São Paulo, SP, Brazil / Inquérito sorológico da Toxoplasmose em quatis (Nasua nasua) do Parque Ecológico do Tietê, São Paulo, SP, Brasil

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis in humans, domestic animals and wild animals. Although there is serological evidence of T. gondii infection in wild animals, little is known about the role of wildlife in the epidemiological chain of this parasite. The South American coati (Nasua nasua) is an omnivorous species capable of adaptation to different environments. It can be found throughout Brazil, and in anthropized environments it can come into close contact with domestic animals. The present study found occurrences of T. gondii antibodies in South American coatis living in the Tietê Ecological Park, in the municipality of São Paulo, Brazil, through the modified agglutination test (MAT). In total, 99 samples were obtained and 70.70% (n = 70) were positive for anti-T. gondii antibodies, with titers that ranged from 50 to 3200. The data from this study indicate that South American coatis are exposed to this parasite.(AU)

Toxoplasma gondii é um protozoário parasita intracelular obrigatório que causa a toxoplasmose em humanos, animais domésticos e selvagens. Apesar das evidências sorológicas da infecção por T. gondii em animais selvagens, pouco se sabe sobre o papel da vida selvagem na cadeia epidemiológica deste parasito. Os quatis (Nasua nasua) são uma espécie onívora capaz de se adaptar em diferentes ambientes. Eles são encontrados em todo território brasileiro, e em ambientes antropizados podem apresentar um contato próximo com animais domésticos. O presente estudo verificou a ocorrência de anticorpos anti-T. gondii em quatis habitantes do Parque Ecológico do Tietê, São Paulo, Brasil, pelo Teste de Aglutinação Modificada (MAT). No total, 99 amostras foram obtidas das quais 70,70% (n = 70) foram positivas para anticorpos anti-T. gondii, com títulos de anticorpos que variaram de 50 a 3200. Os dados obtidos neste estudo indicam que quatis sul-americanos são expostos a este parasito.(AU)