Insights into the threats of toxoplasmosis for free-ranging black-tufted marmosets living in our neighborhood

Insights into the threats of toxoplasmosis for free-ranging black-tufted marmosets living in our neighborhood

Abstract Toxoplasmosis is a globally significant zoonotic disease with the potential to severely impact wild animal populations. Neotropical non-human primates (NHPs), particularly callitrichids, are highly susceptible, often experiencing fatal outcomes. This study examines toxoplasmosis in free-ran...

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Main Authors: Davi Emanuel Ribeiro de Sousa, Isabel Luana de Macêdo, Liz de Albuquerque Cerqueira, Ludmilla Melanie, Vitória França dos Santos Pessoa, Arthur Scherer da Silva Rocha, Pedro de Alcantara Brito Junior, Pedro Henrique de Oliveira Passos, Daniel Garkauskas Ramos, Alessandro Pecego Martins Romano, Gabriela Rodrigues de Toledo Costa, Eduardo Mauricio Mendes de Lima, Cristiano Barros de Melo, Luciana Hagström, Marcio Botelho de Castro
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Non-human primate
Monkey
Toxoplasma gondii
Infection
Disease
Parasite
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00495-4
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Summary:Abstract Toxoplasmosis is a globally significant zoonotic disease with the potential to severely impact wild animal populations. Neotropical non-human primates (NHPs), particularly callitrichids, are highly susceptible, often experiencing fatal outcomes. This study examines toxoplasmosis in free-ranging black-tufted marmosets (Callithrix penicillata) in anthropogenic environments of Central Brazil, analyzing epidemiological and pathological data from 2017 to 2022. A retrospective review of 1095 NHP deaths identified a 9.2% prevalence (101/1,095) of acute fatal toxoplasmosis (AFT) in black-tufted marmosets across Central Brazil and 10.3% (53/515) within the federal district (FD). Necropsied marmosets from the FD showed an estimated AFT prevalence of 50.7% and a lethality rate of 20.3%. AFT cases were linked to outbreaks and isolated incidents, with a likely seasonal peak during the dry season. Pathological findings included severe hepatic damage, splenitis, interstitial pneumonia, and myocarditis. Immunohistochemistry and qPCR confirmed Toxoplasma gondii infection, with the highest parasite loads in the spleen and liver. Given the anthropogenic pressures of habitat fragmentation, urbanization, and T. gondii exposure, this study advances the understanding of toxoplasmosis as an emerging disease in wild marmosets. Findings of this study establish a critical foundation for conservation strategies and insights into toxoplasmosis dynamics in free-ranging NHPs living in our neighborhood.
ISSN:2045-2322

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