Epidemiological survey of infectious pathogens in maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) from western Bahia
Canidae, canine adenovirus type 1, morbillivirus, parvovirus, Toxoplasma gondii
Among the various threats to maned wolves, the imminence of infectious disease outbreaks is one of the most worrisome, due to a potential impact to threatened populations. Therefore, the aim was to investigate the occurrence of viral, bacterial, and parasitic agents in wild maned wolves from Western Bahia. Eleven specimens were evaluated for serological titration, antigen, and genetic material research for canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus virus, canine adenovirus type 1, canine coronavirus, Leptospira interrogans and Toxoplasma gondii. All maned wolves (100%; 11/11) evaluated by the Dot-ELISA were reagents for IgM and seven (7/11; 64%) for IgG against canine distemper virus and parvovirus, while by the immunochromatographic technique 100% (11/11) were reagents for IgG against canine distemper virus. Regarding the CAdV-1, 90% (10/11) were positive for IgG against the canine adenovirus, while 64% (7/11) were seropositive for IgG titer for T. gondii. Additionally, nine domestic dogs from the same region were tested and all of them (100%, 9/9) were seropositive for IgM and IgG against canine distemper virus and parvovirus. For IgG against T. gondii, 90% (8/9) of the animals tested were seroreactive, as well as for IgG against CAV-1. Molecular evaluation (RT-PCR) showed negative results for all maned wolves and dogs tested for canine adenovirus-1, canine distemper virus and T. gondii, as well as the antigen search for canine coronavirus through immunochromatography. The data obtained indicate high seroprevalence for viral pathogens and T. gondii in maned wolves and domestic dogs, suggesting circulation of these agents and possible interspecies transmission in western Bahia.