Detection of infection with toxoplasma gondii in manatees (trichechus inunguis) of the peruvian amazon

Abstract

The Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis) is an aquatic mammal that inhabits freshwater environments and is endemic to the Amazon Basin. The presence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies was investigated in 19 manatees in one rescue unit in the northern region of Peru. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 12 (63.2 %) of 19 animals by using the modified agglutination test (titer, 1:25), and no association between sex and age of the animals and the presence of T. gondii antibodies was observed (p and lt; 0.05). The results suggest a contamination by T. gondii oocysts in the aquatic environment where these animals live.