Prevalence of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in Endangered Wild Felines (<i>Felis silvestris</i> and <i>Lynx pardinus</i>) in Spain
The wildcat (<i>Felis silvestris</i>) and the Iberian lynx (<i>Lynx pardinus</i>) are important species in Spain, considered as near-threatened and endangered, respectively. Both can be infected by <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>, a parasite that can cause morbidity and...
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MDPI AG
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/15/2488 |
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| author | Pablo Matas Méndez Isabel Fuentes Corripio Ana Montoya Matute Begoña Bailo Barroso Rebeca Grande Gómez Ariadna Apruzzese Rubio Francisco Ponce Gordo Marta Mateo Barrientos |
| author_facet | Pablo Matas Méndez Isabel Fuentes Corripio Ana Montoya Matute Begoña Bailo Barroso Rebeca Grande Gómez Ariadna Apruzzese Rubio Francisco Ponce Gordo Marta Mateo Barrientos |
| author_sort | Pablo Matas Méndez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The wildcat (<i>Felis silvestris</i>) and the Iberian lynx (<i>Lynx pardinus</i>) are important species in Spain, considered as near-threatened and endangered, respectively. Both can be infected by <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>, a parasite that can cause morbidity and mortality in transplacentally-infected or immunocompromised mammals. The data on the prevalence of this parasite in wild populations of these species in Spain are outdated. The objective of this study was to update information and evaluate the role of these felines in parasite epidemiology and the potential impact of the parasite on their conservation. Blood and fecal samples were collected from captured animals, as well as the tongue, diaphragm, and spleen, from animals killed in road accidents in central Spain. An indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was used to detect parasite antibodies in serum, microscopy and molecular analysis were used to detect oocysts in feces, and molecular analysis was used to determine the existence of tissue cysts. Seroprevalence was 85% in wildcats and 45% in lynx, and parasite DNA was detected in the feces of one wildcat and in tissue samples from 10 wildcats and 11 Iberian lynxes. These results highlight the epidemiological importance and high risk of <i>T. gondii</i> infection in animals and humans in the studied areas. Considering feline susceptibility to infection, monitoring programs are needed to assess the health status of wild felines. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:32:09Z |
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| id | doaj.art-40ad9678ef8644228b18aa0acd573ecf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:32:09Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-40ad9678ef8644228b18aa0acd573ecf2023-11-18T22:33:44ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152023-08-011315248810.3390/ani13152488Prevalence of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in Endangered Wild Felines (<i>Felis silvestris</i> and <i>Lynx pardinus</i>) in SpainPablo Matas Méndez0Isabel Fuentes Corripio1Ana Montoya Matute2Begoña Bailo Barroso3Rebeca Grande Gómez4Ariadna Apruzzese Rubio5Francisco Ponce Gordo6Marta Mateo Barrientos7Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28691 Madrid, SpainLaboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, SpainDepartamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, SpainLaboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, SpainTechnical Assistence, General Direction of Natural Environment and Biodiversity, Ministry of Sustainable Development, Autonomous Community of Castilla-La Mancha, 45007 Toledo, SpainTechnical Assistence, General Direction of Natural Environment and Biodiversity, Ministry of Sustainable Development, Autonomous Community of Castilla-La Mancha, 45007 Toledo, SpainDepartamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, SpainDepartamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, SpainThe wildcat (<i>Felis silvestris</i>) and the Iberian lynx (<i>Lynx pardinus</i>) are important species in Spain, considered as near-threatened and endangered, respectively. Both can be infected by <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>, a parasite that can cause morbidity and mortality in transplacentally-infected or immunocompromised mammals. The data on the prevalence of this parasite in wild populations of these species in Spain are outdated. The objective of this study was to update information and evaluate the role of these felines in parasite epidemiology and the potential impact of the parasite on their conservation. Blood and fecal samples were collected from captured animals, as well as the tongue, diaphragm, and spleen, from animals killed in road accidents in central Spain. An indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was used to detect parasite antibodies in serum, microscopy and molecular analysis were used to detect oocysts in feces, and molecular analysis was used to determine the existence of tissue cysts. Seroprevalence was 85% in wildcats and 45% in lynx, and parasite DNA was detected in the feces of one wildcat and in tissue samples from 10 wildcats and 11 Iberian lynxes. These results highlight the epidemiological importance and high risk of <i>T. gondii</i> infection in animals and humans in the studied areas. Considering feline susceptibility to infection, monitoring programs are needed to assess the health status of wild felines.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/15/2488European wildcat<i>Felis silvestris</i>Iberian lynx<i>Lynx pardinus</i><i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>prevalence |
| spellingShingle | Pablo Matas Méndez Isabel Fuentes Corripio Ana Montoya Matute Begoña Bailo Barroso Rebeca Grande Gómez Ariadna Apruzzese Rubio Francisco Ponce Gordo Marta Mateo Barrientos Prevalence of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in Endangered Wild Felines (<i>Felis silvestris</i> and <i>Lynx pardinus</i>) in Spain Animals European wildcat <i>Felis silvestris</i> Iberian lynx <i>Lynx pardinus</i> <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> prevalence |
| title | Prevalence of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in Endangered Wild Felines (<i>Felis silvestris</i> and <i>Lynx pardinus</i>) in Spain |
| title_full | Prevalence of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in Endangered Wild Felines (<i>Felis silvestris</i> and <i>Lynx pardinus</i>) in Spain |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in Endangered Wild Felines (<i>Felis silvestris</i> and <i>Lynx pardinus</i>) in Spain |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in Endangered Wild Felines (<i>Felis silvestris</i> and <i>Lynx pardinus</i>) in Spain |
| title_short | Prevalence of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in Endangered Wild Felines (<i>Felis silvestris</i> and <i>Lynx pardinus</i>) in Spain |
| title_sort | prevalence of i toxoplasma gondii i in endangered wild felines i felis silvestris i and i lynx pardinus i in spain |
| topic | European wildcat <i>Felis silvestris</i> Iberian lynx <i>Lynx pardinus</i> <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> prevalence |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/15/2488 |
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