Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in invasive wild boars (Sus scrofa) and hunting dogs from Brazil

• Published in: International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife Vol. 24; p. 100951
• Main Authors: Perin, Patricia Parreira, Arias-Pacheco, Carmen Andrea, Andrade, Lívia de Oliveira, Gomes, Jonathan Silvestre, Ferreira, Adrian Felipe de Moraes, Pavaneli, Rafael Oliveira, Loureiro, Fabiana Alves, Franco, Ana Luíza, Oliveira, Wilson Junior, Mendonça, Talita Oliveira, Zolla, Natália de Oliveira, Mioni, Mateus de Souza Ribeiro, Machado, Rosangela Zacarias, de Barros, Luiz Daniel, Garcia, João Luis, Jurkevicz, Rafaela Maria Boson, Cavallieri, Ana Carolina, Lux Hoppe, Estevam G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Foodborne diseases; Hunting; One health; Sarcocystidae; Suidae; One health; Sarcocystidae; Hunting; Foodborne diseases; Suidae
• ISSN: 2213-2244; 2213-2244
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100951

The wild boar, an impactful invasive species in Brazil, is subject to population control activities, which often include the use of hunting dogs. Hunters commonly consume wild boar meat, which is also used to feed their dogs, posing a risk of Toxoplasma gondii infection for humans and both T. gondii and Neospora caninum for dogs. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of infection in wild boars (n = 127) and hunting dogs (n = 73) from São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, and Paraná states. We employed histopathological, serological (indirect fluorescent antibody test), and molecular techniques (endpoint polymerase chain reaction). Histopathology slides of wild boar tissue (central nervous system, heart, skeletal muscle, liver, spleen, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, lymph nodes, and thyroid) sections revealed no T. gondii or N. caninum cysts (0/47). Antibodies anti-T. gondii were detected in 35/108 (32.4%) and anti-N. caninum in 45/108 (41.7%) wild boars. Only 2/18 (11.1%) wild boar tissue homogenate samples tested positive for T. gondii on endpoint PCR. Hunting dogs showed antibodies against T. gondii in 62/73 (85%) and against N. caninum in 31/73 (42%). The presence of antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum in wild boars and hunting dogs, along with T. gondii DNA detection in wild boars, indicates the circulation of these parasites. Educating hunters on preventing these foodborne diseases, including zoonotic risks, is crucial. [Display omitted] •Toxoplasma gondii's overall prevalence in wild boars from Brazil was 27.6%.•Neospora caninum's seroprevalence in wild boars from Brazil was 41.7%.•T. gondii's seroprevalence in hunting dogs from Brazil was 85%.•N. caninum's seroprevalence in hunting dogs from Brazil was 42%.•N. caninum infection was more frequent in female wild boars.