Seroprevalência de anticorpos para Toxoplasma gondii em aves selvagens em Portugal
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2021-07-26
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Toxoplasma gondii é um parasita amplamente distribuído a nível mundial e estima-se que cerca de um terço da população humana esteja infetada. A toxoplasmose assume especial importância em termos de saúde pública e deve ser abordada segundo o conceito “One Health”, uma vez que afeta seres humanos, animais domésticos e selvagens. Assim, é essencial que se realizem pesquisas científicas multidisciplinares que incluam a fauna selvagem. Este trabalho consistiu na recolha de 263 amostras de soro de aves selvagens em cinco centros de recuperação localizados de norte a sul de Portugal, entre 2019 e 2020. As amostras foram, posteriormente, analisadas utilizando o teste de aglutinação modificado (“modified agglutination test” – MAT) no Laboratório de Parasitologia de Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro. Verificou-se uma seroprevalência geral de 36,5% (IC 95%: 30,7 ‒ 42,6) e determinouse pela primeira vez a presença de anticorpos contra T. gondii nas espécies andorinhão-pálido (Apus pallidus) (2/6), gaivota-d’asa-escura (Larus fuscus) (11/28), rola-brava (Streptopelia turtur) (1/1), abelharuco (Merops apiaster) (1/2), gralha-preta (Corvus corone) (1/3) e abutredo-Egipto (Neophron percnopterus) (1/1), ampliando a lista de hospedeiros intermediários do parasita. Confirmou-se uma seroprevalência inferior em aves juvenis (31,9%) em relação às adultas (48,7%) (p = 0,016). A região Centro de Portugal foi considerada um fator de risco para a aquisição da infeção por T. gondii em aves selvagens (OR 3,61, IC 95%: 1,09 ‒ 11,91). O presente estudo sugere a existência de um considerável grau de contaminação ambiental por T. gondii em Portugal continental e destaca a importância da realização de estudos futuros para que se possam tomar medidas mais conscientes no controlo e prevenção desta zoonose.
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite widely distributed worldwide that infects about one third of the human population. Toxoplasmosis is very important in terms of public health and must be studied according to the “One Health” approach, since it affects humans, domestic and wild animals. Thus, it is essential to carry out multidisciplinary scientific research that includes wild fauna. This work involved the collection of 263 wild bird serum samples from five recovery centres located from north to south of Portugal, between 2019 and 2020. The samples were later analysed by the modified agglutination test (MAT) in the Parasitology Laboratory of the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro. An overall seroprevalence of 36.5% (95% CI: 30.7 ‒ 42.6) was observed in the present study and, for the first time, antibodies to T. gondii were found in the species pallid swift (Apus pallidus) (2/6), black-backed gull (Larus fuscus) (11/28), European turtle-dove (Streptopelia turtur) (1/1), bee-eater (Merops apiaster) (1/2), carrion crow (Corvus corone) (1/3) and Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) (1/1), expanding the list of intermediate hosts of the parasite. A lower seroprevalence was confirmed in juvenile birds (31.9%) compared to adults (48.7%) (p = 0.016). The central region of Portugal was considered a risk factor for T. gondii infection in wild birds (OR 3.61, 95% CI: 1.09 - 11.91). The present study suggests a considerable degree of environmental contamination by T. gondii in Portugal and highlights the importance of carrying out future studies, so that more conscious measures can be taken in the control and prevention of this zoonosis.
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite widely distributed worldwide that infects about one third of the human population. Toxoplasmosis is very important in terms of public health and must be studied according to the “One Health” approach, since it affects humans, domestic and wild animals. Thus, it is essential to carry out multidisciplinary scientific research that includes wild fauna. This work involved the collection of 263 wild bird serum samples from five recovery centres located from north to south of Portugal, between 2019 and 2020. The samples were later analysed by the modified agglutination test (MAT) in the Parasitology Laboratory of the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro. An overall seroprevalence of 36.5% (95% CI: 30.7 ‒ 42.6) was observed in the present study and, for the first time, antibodies to T. gondii were found in the species pallid swift (Apus pallidus) (2/6), black-backed gull (Larus fuscus) (11/28), European turtle-dove (Streptopelia turtur) (1/1), bee-eater (Merops apiaster) (1/2), carrion crow (Corvus corone) (1/3) and Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) (1/1), expanding the list of intermediate hosts of the parasite. A lower seroprevalence was confirmed in juvenile birds (31.9%) compared to adults (48.7%) (p = 0.016). The central region of Portugal was considered a risk factor for T. gondii infection in wild birds (OR 3.61, 95% CI: 1.09 - 11.91). The present study suggests a considerable degree of environmental contamination by T. gondii in Portugal and highlights the importance of carrying out future studies, so that more conscious measures can be taken in the control and prevention of this zoonosis.
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Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Veterinária
Palavras-chave
Aves selvagens , MAT