Genetic Characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in Myrmecophaga tridactyla (Linnaeus, 1758)

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, which can affect both humans and animals. In wild animals the T. gondii infection is quite common and several published studies have demonstrated its occurrence in different organisms. In animals, just as in humans, the problems from infection by T. gondii have been the subject of several studies aim to understand the epidemiological, clinical, and even economic, caused by the presence of this parasite. However, knowledge of the natural history of most parasitic zoonoses in South America is poorly understood both in humans and in animals. Particularly in the last, the difficulty in obtaining samples and the insufficient knowledge of the biology, ecology and behavior limit these researches. Thus, this study aims to characterize genetically (PCR-RFLP) T. gondii samples in giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), a wild animal important in our region.