Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in a free-ranging giant anteater

ABSTRACT: Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an obligatory intracellular protozoan, which establishes acute and chronic infections in birds and mammals, including humans. This note reports, for the first time, the detection and sequencing of DNA from T. gondii in the peripheral blood of a young free range giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla). For the diagnosis, the following methods were used: polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and positive serology (1:800) by means of the modified agglutination test (MAT). Since this species may be consumed by humans and predated by wild felids, its importance is emphasized as a probable source of zoonotic infection, in addition to its possible participation in the infection enzootic cycle. Although, parasitemia has been confirmed in this specimen, it presented no clinical sign of infection.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Morgado,Thais Oliveira, Kagueyama,Francielle Cristina, Rosa,Janaina Marcela Assunção, Belizário,Melissa Debesa, Pacheco,Richard de Campos, Dutra,Valéria, Corrêa,Sandra Helena Ramiro, Paz,Regina Celia Rodrigues da
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Universidade Federal de Santa Maria 2017
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0103-84782017000800501
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