Recent epidemiologic, clinical, subclinical and genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii infections in bats.

Abstract

The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii infects virtually all warm-blooded animals, including bats. Depending on the diet, bats are classified as frugivorous, insectivorous, omnivorous, hematophagous, nectarivorous and carnivorous. The seroprevalence of T. gondii was higher in insectivores bats than fructivores bats. Owls, eagles, and cats can be predators of bats. Bats may be important in the epidemiology of T. gondii because they can be sentinels and can spread infection. Viable T. gondii has been isolated from brain, heart and pectoral muscle of bats. ToxoDB genotypes #9, #10, #6, #19, #69, #162 were identified from bats tissues. Genotypes #9 is prevalent in Asia. Genotypes #6 is widely distributed across Africa and Brazil. This result was matched with genotypes distribution from other hosts. The present review summarizes worldwide information on the seroprevalence, molecular epidemiology, isolation, genotypes and clinical cases of T. gondii infection in bats. Further studies are needed to verify the validity of serological and molecular tests, and the transmission routes of T. gondii infection in bats.