Toxoplasmosis in dasyurid marsupials

Abstract

A histological study was mads of a group of dasyurid marsupials which died or were killed. Among thevariety of lesions found, toxoplasmosis was particularly common and its incidence, distribution and significance in 86 animals is described.Number examinedNumber with toxoplasmaDasycercus cristicauda2817Dasyuroidesb yrnei238Antechinus macdonnellensis137Antechinus apicalis85Antechinomys spenceri98Antechinus stuartii30Sminthopsis larapinta21 Simple intracellular parasitism was seen in only 9 animals. In the majority (37) an inflammatory reaction was present around the toxoplasma. Toxoplasma were identified in the heart (37), the brain (24), the lungs (21), and the liver (lo), but were also seen occasionally in the adrenal, muscle of the gut, strap muscles of the neck, urinary bladder and lymph nodes. In the majority the toxoplasma were probably of little significance as far as the health or death of the animal was concerned. In one <i>D. byrnei</i> a toxoplasma myelitis correlated well with obvious dysfunction of the hind limbs. In the A. spenceri the widespread nature of the lesions and the large number of toxoplasma were in favour of the toxoplasma causing disease and death. The frequency of latent protozoal infection in laboratory animals was compared with the present material and the possibility of infection of the laboratory worker emphasized.