Abstract
This study was conducted from November 2010 to June 2011 to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in captive ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) in Trinidad. Faecal samples were collected and analyzed using faecal flotation to identify helminth ova and protozoan cysts and oocysts. Serum samples from captive ocelots were screened for T. gondii using a latex agglutination test kit. Of the 19 ocelots examined, the most prevalent parasites noted were ova of ascarids, strongyles, and Capillaria spp. The serum of three of the 13 (23.1%) ocelots tested was positive for T. gondii antibodies. These ocelots are therefore a potential source of T. gondii infection to both humans and other animals. This is the first documented report of endoparasites in local captive ocelots within Trinidad and provides useful data to support further research of the captive and wild populations.
Highlights
Ocelots commonly inhabit the tropical rainforests of Trinidad and Central and South America. ey can be found in marshes, mangroves, thorn scrub regions, and savannah grasslands. ey spend most of their time in elevated regions below 1200 meters [1,2,3]. e diet of ocelots consists mainly of small rodents with some medium-sized animals, reptiles, birds, and aquatic species including crustaceans [4, 5]. ese felids are very important in neotropical ecosystems, since they are apex predators in the regulation of prey populations [4]
Leopardus pardalis is the host to a diversity of endoparasites including Taenia spp., strongyles, Paragonimus spp., Toxocara cati, Capillaria spp., spirurids, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, acanthocephalans (e.g., Oncicola spp.), Hammondia pardalis, and Isospora spp. [1]. ey are known to host Toxoplasma gondii, Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Uncinaria spp., Crenosoma spp., and Spirometra spp. [7]
Ocelots prey on small mammals, including agouti and rodents, which can act as intermediate hosts with bloodborne tachyzoites and tissue bradyzoite cysts which are infective to felids and other intermediate hosts through predation and carnivorism [14]
Summary
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoan parasite that is found in a wide range of mammals and birds. Oocysts shed in ocelot faeces can become infective to other mammalian hosts (including cats, dogs, and humans) via the faecal-oral route [7, 11,12,13]. Ocelots prey on small mammals, including agouti and rodents, which can act as intermediate hosts with bloodborne tachyzoites and tissue bradyzoite cysts which are infective to felids and other intermediate hosts through predation and carnivorism [14]. Is current study aims to identify the endoparasite species which may be found within the captive ocelot population in Trinidad and determine the serological status of Toxoplasma gondii in these felids. Is current study aims to identify the endoparasite species which may be found within the captive ocelot population in Trinidad and determine the serological status of Toxoplasma gondii in these felids. e ultimate goal is to create and increase the awareness to the public and scientific community of the potential parasitic infections of veterinary and public health significance that can be transmitted by ocelots
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