Abstract
Surveillance is an important component of One Health; however, disease surveillance in wild animals is hindered by challenges in obtaining and preserving adequate biological samples from free-ranging animals. The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is the etiologic agent causing toxoplasmosis, a worldwide zoonosis with a high prevalence in Brazil. There is limited literature on toxoplasmosis in giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla); therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of T. gondii in M. tridactyla from midwest Brazil. Blood samples from 71 free-ranging animals from the Cerrado (n=65) and Pantanal (n=6) biomes in Mato Grosso do Sul state, were collected from 2016 to 2021, as part of Wild Animals Conservation Institute (ICAS) studies. A modified agglutination test was used to detect anti–T. gondii antibodies. Overall, 62% (44/71) of free-ranging anteaters tested positive, with titers ranging from 16 to 4,096, confirming exposure of giant anteaters in this area of Brazil to T. gondii. Anti–T. gondii antibodies were detected in anteaters from both the Pantanal wetland and Cerrado savanna biomes, indicating the presence of T. gondii in both.