Occurrence of Antibodies Anti‐ Toxoplasma gondii in Captive Non‐Human Primates From Pernambuco State, Brazil

ABSTRACT

Wildlife captive populations are important tools for threatened species conservation, and early identification of diseases must be prioritized. In this study, we test for the presence of anti‐ Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in non‐human primates at a Zoo from Pernambuco State, Brazil. A Modified Agglutination Test (MAT ≥ 25) was carried out on serum samples from 28 individuals of nine species ( Ateles chamek , Ateles marginatus , Ateles paniscus , Chlorocebus aethiops , Papio anubis , Papio hamadryas , Lagothrix lagotricha , Sapajus flavius , and Sapajus libidinosus ) from two parvorders (Catarrhini and Platyrrhini). Among the tested animals, 19 (67.85%) from eight different species were seropositive, and only one S. flavius developed clinical toxoplasmosis. A statistical association was observed between age and presence of T. gondii antibodies, with adults and geriatric animals showing higher ( p  < 0.05) association than young ones. Local of born (in the zoo or out of the zoo), parvorder, and gender were not significantly associated ( p  > 0.05).