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Title: SEROPREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII ANTIBODIES IN THE RODENT CAPYBARA (HIDROCHOERIS HIDOCHOERIS) FROM BRAZIL

Author
item CANON-FRANCO, W - UNIVERSIDADE DE SAO PAULO
item YAI, L - SAO PAULO
item JOPPERT, A - SAO PAULO
item SOUZA, C - SAO PAULO
item D'AURIA, S - SAO PAULO
item Dubey, Jitender
item GENNARI, S - UNIVERSIDADE DE SAO PAULO

Submitted to: Journal of Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/20/2003
Publication Date: 5/20/2003
Citation: Canon-Franco, W.A., Yai, L.E., Joppert, A.M., Souza, C.E., D'Auria, S.R., Dubey, J.P., Gennari, S.M. 2003. Seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii antibodies in the rodent capybara (hidrochoeris hidochoeris) from brazil. Journal of Parasitology. 89:850

Interpretive Summary: Infection by the single-celled parasite Toxoplasma gondii is widely prevalent in humans and animals. It causes abortion in livestock and birth defects in children. Humans can become infected by eating undercooked meat infected with this parasite. Scientists at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and University of Sao Paulo, Brazil have found antibodies to T. gondii in 70% of capybaras (a rodent) used for human consumption in South America. These findings will be of interest to biologists, parasitologists and public health workers.

Technical Abstract: Capybaras (Hidrochoeris hidrochoeris) are one of the largest rodents used for meat in South and Central America. Prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in 149 feral H. hidrochoeris from the state of São Paulo, Brazil was evaluated using the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and the modified agglutination test (MAT). Using IFAT, antibodies (¿1:16) were found in 104 (69.8%) and with the MAT, antibodies (¿1:25) were found in 63 (42.3%) capybaras. This is the first report of prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in this host.