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Reis, F.C.; Minuzzi-Souza, T.T.C.; Neiva, M.; Timb¢, R.V.; de Morais, I.O.B.; de Lima, T.M.; Hecht, M.; Nitz, N.; Gurgel-Gon‡alves, R.
Trypanosomatid infections in captive wild mammals and potential vectors at the Brasilia Zoo, Federal District, Brazil
2020  Veterinary Medicine and Science (6): 248-256

Conservation projects in zoos may involve translocation of captive animals, which may lead to pathogen spread. Neotropical mammals are important hosts of _Trypanosoma cruzi_ and _Leishmania _spp. the etiological agents of Chagas disease and Leishmaniasis respectively. Studies of trypanosomatid-infected mammals and vectors (triatomines and sandflies) in zoos are important for the establishment of surveillance and control measures. We investigated trypanosomatid infections in captive wild mammals, triatomines and sandflies at the Bras¡lia Zoo. We collected triatomines during active bimonthly surveys, sampled sandflies using light-traps and obtained blood samples from 74 mammals between 2016 and 2017. We used quantitative PCR to detect trypanosomatids in vectors and mammals. We found a colony of 19 _Panstrongylus megistus_ in the porcupine unit and detected _T. cruzi _infections in five bugs. We captured 17 sandflies of four species including _Nyssomyia whitmani_ and_ Lutzomyia longipalpis_, but no _Leishmania _infection was detected. qPCR detected 50 _T. cruzi_-infected mammals belonging to 24 species and five groups of mammals (_Carnivora_, _Cetartiodactyla_, _Perissodactyla_, _Pilosa _and _Primates_); _Leishmania _DNA was detected in 23 mammals from 15 species, mainly carnivores. We detected trypanosomatid infections in 11 mammals born at the Bras¡lia Zoo. Our results suggest vector-borne transmission of _T. cruzi_ among maned wolves; measures to reduce the risk of new infections should therefore be taken. We also report sandfly presence and Leishmania-infected mammals at the Bras¡lia Zoo. Translocation of wild mammals in and out of the Bras¡lia Zoo should consider the risk of _T. cruzi _and _Leishmania _spread

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