Detection of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in captive non-human primates in the Amazon region, Brazil

Abstract

Background

Toxoplasma gondii infections in captive non-human primates are of interest because often they die due to severe toxoplasmosis. Thus, we aimed to evaluate samples from a serum bank to T. gondii antibodies.

Methods

Serum samples of 179 monkeys from the National Center of Primates, Brazil, were retrospective analyzed for T. gondii IgG antibodies by modified agglutination test using formalin-fixed whole parasites as antigen (cutoff 1:25).

Results

Among the 179 samples tested, 88 (49.2%) were positive. Twelve of the 18 evaluated species presented at least one positive animal. A higher occurrence of positive animals was found in New World (52.2%) than Old World (22.2%) monkeys (P = .023) and in the animals from domestic donation origin, which had lived in human homes as pets (P = .004).

Conclusions

We confirm the widespread presence of T. gondii in captive monkeys and contribute to the range of species that can be infected by this parasite.