Anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) from Itu Municipality, São Paulo

Rev Bras Parasitol Vet. 2016 Jan-Mar;25(1):116-8. doi: 10.1590/S1984-29612016002. Epub 2016 Mar 11.

Abstract

Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are the largest rodents found in South America. The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in 170 free-living capybaras in a residential park area in Itu Municipality, São Paulo State, Brazil. Serum samples were tested by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) for T. gondii (IFAT ≥ 1:16) and N. caninum (IFAT ≥ 1:50). Among the 170 samples analyzed, 10% (17/170) and 0% (0/170) were seropositive for T. gondii and N. caninum, respectively. This study confirms the widespread presence of T. gondii and reinforces the role of capybaras in the life cycle of this parasite. Capybaras may not be important as intermediate hosts of N. caninum in the studied environment.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood*
  • Brazil
  • Coccidiosis / immunology
  • Coccidiosis / veterinary
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / veterinary
  • Neospora / immunology*
  • Rodentia / immunology*
  • Rodentia / parasitology
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Toxoplasma / immunology*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / immunology*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / parasitology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan