Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Giant Anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) in Mato Grosso Do Sul, Brazil.

Abstract

Surveillance is an important component of One Health; however, disease surveillance in wild animals is hindered by challenges in obtaining and preserving adequate biological samples from free-ranging animals. The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is the etiologic agent causing toxoplasmosis, a worldwide zoonosis with a high prevalence in Brazil. There is limited literature on toxoplasmosis in giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla); therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of T. gondii in M. tridactyla from midwest Brazil. Blood samples from 71 free-ranging animals from the Cerrado (n=65) and Pantanal (n=6) biomes in Mato Grosso do Sul state, were collected from 2016 to 2021, as part of Wild Animals Conservation Institute (ICAS) studies. A modified agglutination test was used to detect anti-T. gondii antibodies. Overall, 62% (44/71) of free-ranging anteaters tested positive, with titers ranging from 16 to 4,096, confirming exposure of giant anteaters in this area of Brazil to T. gondii. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected in anteaters from both the Pantanal wetland and Cerrado savanna biomes, indicating the presence of T. gondii in both.