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Background <p>Raptors, including the orders Accipitriformes (hawks and kites), Falconiformes (falcons and caracaras), Cathartiformes (New World vultures), and Strigiformes (owls), are found in small forest fragments, parks, vacant lots, outskirts, and open areas within the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. However, few studies have examined the infectious agents that infect them, particularly protozoa. This research reports on the seroprevalence, isolation, and genetic diversity of the zoonotic parasite <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in rescued raptors from two wildlife rehabilitation centres. These birds were fed live mice from a certified institution, as well as quails and insects from commercial establishments.</p> Methods <p>A total of 151 raptor specimens was sampled, comprising five Cathartiformes, 30 Accipitriformes, 31 Falconiformes, and 85 Strigiformes, representing 19 species. Anti-<i>T. gondii</i> IgG antibodies were identified via the Modified Agglutination Test (MAT; cut-off ≥ 20). Bioassays in mice were performed to isolate <i>T. gondii</i>, and the genetic diversity of the isolates was examined via PCR-RFLP and microsatellite genotyping.</p> Results <p>Of the 151 birds, serum samples were collected from 150 specimens. MAT results showed that 62 birds (41.3%) across 14 species were seropositive, including 19 of 29 (65.5%) Accipitriformes, 19 of 31 (61.3%) Falconiformes, and 24 of 85 (28.2%) Strigiformes. Among the 128 bioassays conducted in mice, 27 (21.1%) <i>T. gondii</i> isolates were obtained from birds of nine species, including isolates from <i>Rupornis magnirostris</i> (7), <i>Geranoaetus albicaudatus</i> (2), and <i>Elanus leucurus</i> (1); <i>Caracara plancus</i> (9), <i>Falco sparverius</i> (3), and <i>Falco femoralis</i> (1); <i>Asio clamator</i> (2), <i>Megascops choliba</i> (1), and <i>Asio stygius</i> (1). PCR-RFLP genotyping identified 16 genotypes, and a mixed genotype, including genotypes #11 (Type BrII – 7 isolates), #19 (2), #21 (1), #22 (1), #33 (2), #51 (1), #69 (1), #111 (1), #162 (1), #175 (3) and five new genotypes designated #350, #351, #352, #353, and #354. Microsatellite analysis revealed 26 genotypes and a mixed genotype. Some rare alleles detected included 287 for TUB2, 246 for W35, 203 for TgM-A, 364 and 366 for B17, and 273 for MIV.1.</p> Conclusions <p><i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> is highly prevalent and genetically diverse among the wild raptors in the studied population. The same strains may circulate among wild raptors, domestic animals and humans.</p>

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Epidemiology and genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii in rescued raptors from wildlife rehabilitation centres in Brazil

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月27日

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  • Hilda Fátima Jesus Pena,
  • Marta Brito Guimarães,
  • Liliane Milanelo,
  • Bruna Farias Alves,
  • Solange Oliveira,
  • Juliana Aizawa Porto Abreu,
  • Arlei Marcili,
  • Solange Maria Gennari,
  • Marcos Amaku,
  • Herbert Sousa Soares

摘要

Background

Raptors, including the orders Accipitriformes (hawks and kites), Falconiformes (falcons and caracaras), Cathartiformes (New World vultures), and Strigiformes (owls), are found in small forest fragments, parks, vacant lots, outskirts, and open areas within the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. However, few studies have examined the infectious agents that infect them, particularly protozoa. This research reports on the seroprevalence, isolation, and genetic diversity of the zoonotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii in rescued raptors from two wildlife rehabilitation centres. These birds were fed live mice from a certified institution, as well as quails and insects from commercial establishments.

Methods

A total of 151 raptor specimens was sampled, comprising five Cathartiformes, 30 Accipitriformes, 31 Falconiformes, and 85 Strigiformes, representing 19 species. Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were identified via the Modified Agglutination Test (MAT; cut-off ≥ 20). Bioassays in mice were performed to isolate T. gondii, and the genetic diversity of the isolates was examined via PCR-RFLP and microsatellite genotyping.

Results

Of the 151 birds, serum samples were collected from 150 specimens. MAT results showed that 62 birds (41.3%) across 14 species were seropositive, including 19 of 29 (65.5%) Accipitriformes, 19 of 31 (61.3%) Falconiformes, and 24 of 85 (28.2%) Strigiformes. Among the 128 bioassays conducted in mice, 27 (21.1%) T. gondii isolates were obtained from birds of nine species, including isolates from Rupornis magnirostris (7), Geranoaetus albicaudatus (2), and Elanus leucurus (1); Caracara plancus (9), Falco sparverius (3), and Falco femoralis (1); Asio clamator (2), Megascops choliba (1), and Asio stygius (1). PCR-RFLP genotyping identified 16 genotypes, and a mixed genotype, including genotypes #11 (Type BrII – 7 isolates), #19 (2), #21 (1), #22 (1), #33 (2), #51 (1), #69 (1), #111 (1), #162 (1), #175 (3) and five new genotypes designated #350, #351, #352, #353, and #354. Microsatellite analysis revealed 26 genotypes and a mixed genotype. Some rare alleles detected included 287 for TUB2, 246 for W35, 203 for TgM-A, 364 and 366 for B17, and 273 for MIV.1.

Conclusions

Toxoplasma gondii is highly prevalent and genetically diverse among the wild raptors in the studied population. The same strains may circulate among wild raptors, domestic animals and humans.