Toxoplasma gondii infection in two captive Patagonian maras

THREE CASES OF CLINICAL LEPTOSPIROSIS IN PATAGONIAN MARAS (DOLICHOTIS PATAGONUM)

Rodents are typically viewed as asymptomatic reservoirs for leptospirosis infection, as clinical disease in rodents is rarely described. This report includes three separate cases of leptospirosis in Patagonian maras (Dolichotis patagonum) over a 3-yr period in multiple locations within a single zoo. All three cases presented with varying clinical signs including lethargy, conjunctival hyperemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and presumed renal azotemia. Infection with Leptospira spp. was diagnosed antemortem by PCR on whole blood (n = 1, Case 1) or urine (n = 2, Cases 2 and 3). Leptospira antibody titers measured by serum microagglutination testing (n = 3) were elevated or increased in all three animals over a 1-3-wk period for Leptospira serovars Bratislava and Hardjo (Case 1) and Grippotyphosa (Case 2 and 3). Two of the three animals responded to treatment with penicillin and doxycycline and supportive care, whereas one animal did not respond to treatment. Postmortem findings in this individual included conjunctivitis, chemosis, dehydration, icterus, tricavitary serosanguinous effusions, necrotizing hepatitis, diffuse pulmonary congestion, and edema. Immunohistochemical examination identified scattered Leptospira organisms within hepatocytes and renal tubular epithelial cells. A wild raccoon (Procyon lotor) at the institution tested positive by PCR on kidney tissue for the same Leptospira spp. serovar and was the suspected source of infection. This case series highlights the clinical importance of leptospirosis as a differential for Patagonian maras presenting with lethargy, ocular signs, acute hepatic disease, and azotemia.

Anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning in farmed Patagonian mara (Dolichotis patagonum)

BACKGROUND

Anticoagulant rodenticide (AR) poisoning was diagnosed in 3 Patagonian maras (Dolichotis patagonum) raised in the mara farm in Thailand. To date, there have been no reports of maras with diagnosed AR poisoning.

CASE PRESENTATION

The first clinical sign of the sickening maras was anorexia. Fifteen from 50 maras were dead over a 3-5 day period after the clinical signs had occurred. Positive results to AR were detected in all of the maras' liver specimens by screening test using thin layer chromatography and spectrophotometry methods. Supportive therapy was selected for the treatment of the 35 surviving maras. During the follow - up observation period of 12 months, all of the surviving maras were healthy and no reproductive loss.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report on suspected AR poisoning in maras in Thailand based on history taking, clinical signs, gross pathology lesions and chemical analysis. AR poisoning in the present report is possibly from contaminated animal food. Therefore, quality control of food should be fastidious when feeding maras.

Epidemiological Significance of Toxoplasma Gondii Infections in Wild Rodents: 2009-2020

Toxoplasma gondii infections are common in humans and animals worldwide. Rodents are one of the most important intermediate hosts for T. gondii because they are preyed on by cats, who in turn excrete the environmentally resistant oocysts in their feces and thus spread the infection. Information on T. gondii infections is spread in numerous reports and is not easily accessible to readers. Here, we review prevalence, persistence of infection, clinical disease, epidemiology, and genetic diversity of T. gondii infections in wild rodents worldwide. Data are tabulated by country, by each rodent species alphabetically, and chronologically. Recent genetic diversity of T. gondii strains in rodents is critically evaluated.