infection in two captive Patagonian maras.

Abstract

infection was diagnosed in 2 captive Patagonian maras (). One animal developed fatal systemic toxoplasmosis and had concurrent localized bacterial and fungal infections; its daughter remained clinically healthy. Microscopic findings included acute, coagulative necrosis, lymphohistiocytic inflammatory infiltrates, and extra- and intracellular parasites in the liver, myocardium, urinary bladder, and adrenal glands of the diseased animal. PCR and subsequent genotyping of parasites from fresh tissue from both cases revealed infection withgenotype II. Direct agglutination testing of blood from the healthy individual revealed high levels ofIgG antibodies.is a potential cause of disease and lethality in captive and wild Patagonian maras, and toxoplasmosis should be considered when managing and providing veterinary care for this species.