Negative serosurvey of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in Golden-headed Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) from Niterói/RJ, Brazil.

Camila Vieira Molina,Felipe Da Silva Krawczak,José Luiz Catão-Dias,Alcides Pissinatti,Tiago Ferreira Da Silva,Larissa Cristinne Caneli,Herbert Sousa Soares,Danilo Gomes De Freitas,Maria Cecília Martins Kierulff,Marina Galvão Bueno,Solange Maria Genari

doi:10.1590/s1984-29612016069

Abstract

New World Nonhuman Primates are highly susceptible to clinical toxoplasmosis. Serum samples from 126 recently captured Leontopithecus chrysomelas, from an exotic and invasive population, were tested for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies by the modified agglutination test (MAT, cut-off 1:25); all were seronegative. The MAT is highly specific and is not species-specific. This is the first report of T. gondii survey in this tamarin in the wild. This result is consistent with prior reports that showed the high susceptibility of the species to infection by T. gondii usually with high mortality rates.

Highlights

New World Nonhuman Primates are highly susceptible to clinical toxoplasmosis
Due to the risk of hybridization with local and endangered Leontopithecus rosalia (KIERULFF et al, 2008b), environmental authorities proposed the removal of the Golden-Headed Lion Tamarin (GHLT) population
New World Monkey (NWM) are considered highly susceptible whereas the Old World Monkeys are resistant to clinical toxoplasmosis, worldwide reports of T. gondii infection in monkeys have been described (DUBEY & BEATTIE, 1988; CATÃO-DIAS et al, 2013; DUBEY, 2010)

Summary

Introduction

New World Nonhuman Primates are highly susceptible to clinical toxoplasmosis. Serum samples from 126 recently captured Leontopithecus chrysomelas, from an exotic and invasive population, were tested for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies by the modified agglutination test (MAT, cut-off 1:25); all were seronegative. The Niterói area is fragmented and the GHLT population had been in close contact with humans and domestic animals. NWMs are considered highly susceptible whereas the Old World Monkeys are resistant to clinical toxoplasmosis, worldwide reports of T. gondii infection in monkeys have been described (DUBEY & BEATTIE, 1988; CATÃO-DIAS et al, 2013; DUBEY, 2010).

Results

Conclusion