Clinical toxoplasmosis in zoo animals and its management

Abstract

• Toxoplasmosis in several animal species in zoos is of both clinical and public health importance. • This paper reviews clinical toxoplasmosis in zoo animals. • Strategies to minimize toxoplasmosis in zoo animals are outlined. Infections by the protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, are widely prevalent in humans and animals worldwide. Toxoplasmosis in several animal species in zoos is of both clinical and public health importance. Among captive animals, T. gondii infections in Australasian marsupials (kangaroos, wallabies), New World non-human primates (squirrel monkeys), certain wild felids (Pallas’ cats), and certain avian species (canaries and finches) can be devastating. Excretion of environmentally resistant oocysts by captive felids can contaminate the zoo environment and can be source of infections for visitors to zoo, zoo personnel, and animals in the zoo. Here, these aspects of T. gondii infections are reviewed, including prevention strategies.