Articles Public health

25 July 2023

The epidemiological role of the Eurasian lynx in the life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasma gondii is a successful coccidian parasite able to infect all warm-blooded animals and humans, causing one of the most common zoonoses worldwide. The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is one of the feline potential hosts of T. gondii in Switzerland, but little is known about its epidemiological role as a definitive or intermediate host.

For the purposes of this study, researchers collected serum samples from 183 Eurasian lynx from 2002 to 2021. They tested these samples for antibodies to T. gondii by ELISA, IFAT and in case of inconclusive results, immunoblot.

The research team found antibodies to T. gondii in 150 of 183 (82%) Eurasian lynx. Older age, good health status and a low-altitude habitat were found to be significant predictors for seropositivity.

T. gondii oocysts were detected in three of 176 (1.7%) fecal samples, indicating the Eurasian lynx as a definitive host. In addition, T. gondii DNA was detected in skeletal muscle (7/88), heart muscle (2/26) or brain tissue (2/36) from 10 different lynx by real-time PCR.

In one animal, a T. gondii-like tissue cyst was observed in heart muscle and confirmed as T. gondii by immunohistochemistry (1/20) and real-time PCR. Two different T. gondii genotypes were detected.

These results indicate that T. gondii infection is widespread in the Swiss lynx population. The Eurasian lynx may contribute to environmental contamination with oocysts and is able to harbor the parasite in different tissues. Genotyping revealed the presence of both a common T. gondii lineage in Europe and a previously unknown genotype and thus shedding more light on the complex molecular epidemiology of T. gondii.

Patrick Scherrer, et al. “Exploring the epidemiological role of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii.” Int J Parasitol: Parasites Wildl. 2023 Mar 21; 21:1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.03.005.

Like0

Dislike0

List
Add

Please enter a comment

Name *

Email address *

Comment *

* Required fields

Information on the processing of your personal data
We inform you that, in compliance with the provisions of current national and European regulations for the Protection of Personal Data and Services of the Information Society and Electronic Commerce, by sending us this form you are expressly giving your consent to Grupo Asís Biomedia , SL, (hereinafter, "ASIS GROUP") so that, as the person in charge, it may process your personal data in order to respond to your request for contact and information by electronic means.

Likewise, when you expressly consent, we will process your personal data to send you specialized information, newsletters, offers and exclusive promotions from GRUPO ASIS and related companies.

For the aforementioned purpose, GRUPO ASIS may transfer your data to other companies linked to GRUPO ASIS or to third party service providers for the management of electronic communications and other security services, even in cases where they are outside of the European Union, provided that they legally guarantee the adequate level of protection required by European regulations.

At any time you can withdraw the consent given and exercise the rights of access, rectification, deletion, portability of your data and limitation or opposition to its treatment by contacting GRUPO ASIS by sending an email to protecciondatos @ grupoasis.com, or by written communication to address at Centro Empresarial El Trovador, 8th floor, office I, Plaza Antonio Beltrán Martínez 1, 50002, Zaragoza (Spain), indicating in either case the Ref. Personal data and the right you exercise, as well as attaching a copy of your ID or replacement identification document.

I have read and accept the treatment of my data according to the informed purpose and according Legal notes and the Privacy Policy
I wish to receive commercial information from GRUPO ASIS and related companies

Dislike0

EVENTS

Edrapublishing

About Us Authors Contact Us Legal Notes Privacy Search

Top

The epidemiological role of the Eurasian lynx in the life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii

Comments

List

Add

Tag

Related Articles

13 May 2024
Serum symmetric dimethylarginine in older dogs: Reference interval and comparison of a gold standard method with the ELISA

Serum symmetric dimethylarginine in older dogs: Reference interval and comparison of a gold standard method with the ELISA

15 March 2023
Serological, molecular survey of Leishmania infantum in a population of Iberian lynxes

Serological, molecular survey of Leishmania infantum in a population of Iberian lynxes

02 December 2022
Leishmania infantum immune responses in cats, dogs

Leishmania infantum immune responses in cats, dogs

29 August 2025
Feline cytauxzoonosis

Feline cytauxzoonosis

11 August 2025
Feline cytauxzoonosis: a case report and literature review

Feline cytauxzoonosis: a case report and literature review

More news

Advancing the 3Rs: innovation, implementation, ethics and society

Automated Knowledge-Based Radiation Treatment Planning in Canine and Feline Nasal Tumors

Does Lung Function Imaging Modality Have a Dosimetric Impact On Functional Avoidance Treatment Planning: Assessment Using Prospective Clinical Trial Data

One Committed and Caring NC State Veterinary Student, So Many Choices

Dentalis Earns 5 VOHC® Seals, Positioning for Global Expansion in Animal Health

Newsletter

News of interest

Philanthropic Support and Specialized Surgery Saves Dog with Oral Tumor

Feline asthma syndrome: A retrospective study of the clinical presentation in 29 cats

Feline neurological diseases in a veterinary neurology referral hospital population in Japan

Treatment of cats with feline infectious peritonitis

EVENTS