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- Title
Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis) as Potential Reservoirs and Sentinels of Toxoplasma gondii in Northern Canada.
- Authors
Bouchard, Émilie; Sharma, Rajnish; Hernández-Ortiz, Adrián; Jung, Thomas S.; Harms, N. Jane; Willier, Caitlin N.; Boonstra, Rudy; Majchrzak, Yasmine N.; Peers, Michael J. L.; Gouin, Géraldine-G.; Al-Adhami, Batol; Simon, Audrey; Leighton, Patrick; Jenkins, Emily J.
- Abstract
Simple Summary: Toxoplasma gondii is considered one of the most successful parasites in the world, potentially infecting any vertebrates, including humans. Its complex life cycle encompasses many transmission pathways, which remain enigmatic in northern ecosystems. The aim of our study was to assess Canada lynx as potential reservoir of and sentinel for T. gondii by (1) using serological and molecular assays to detect T. gondii, (2) determining if lynx are definitive hosts for the parasite, and (3) identifying potential risk factors that may contribute to lynx exposure. For the first time, T. gondii DNA was found in tissue and feces of Canada lynx, indicating that they can be both intermediate and definitive hosts in northern regions. Our findings would help identify high-risk regions for infections in northern Canada, with lynx serving as indicator for potential human exposure of T. gondii. Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite globally infecting a wide range of species, including humans. Felids are the only known hosts that can excrete environmentally resistant oocysts into ecosystems. In boreal regions, Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) are sought by hunters primarily for their fur, and they are occasionally eaten. We examined carcasses salvaged from trappers from boreal regions of eastern (n = 97) and western (n = 357) Canada. We detected T. gondii antibodies in fluid from thawed heart tissue using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, DNA in brain and heart via magnetic capture and real-time PCR assay, and presence of DNA in feces using a real-time PCR with melt curve analysis. We detected antibodies against T. gondii and DNA in tissues in 24% and 19% of lynx, respectively. One lynx was positive for DNA of T. gondii in feces, which could indicate intestinal infection and potential for shedding oocysts. Our results indicate that lynx may be a useful sentinel species for monitoring environmental circulation of T. gondii in northern boreal regions and may pose a risk for transmission to other wildlife and to people handling or consuming lynx.
- Subjects
CANADA; LYNX; TOXOPLASMA gondii; INFECTIOUS disease transmission; VERTEBRATES
- Publication
Zoonotic Diseases (2813-0227), 2023, Vol 3, Issue 1, p6
- ISSN
2813-0227
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/zoonoticdis3010002