Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Endangered Wild Felines (Felis silvestris and Lynx pardinus) in Spain

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The wildcats (Felis silvestris) and Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) are species of special relevance in the Spanish fauna and are protected, as their populations are small and the lynx is classified as endangered. Both feline species can become infected by Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that can cause morbidity and mortality in transplacentally infected or immunocompromised mammals. The data on the prevalence of this parasite in Spanish wild populations of wildcats and lynx were last reported 10 years ago, so the objective of this study is to update this information and assess the importance of these felines in the parasite’s epidemiology and the potential impact of the parasite on the conservation of these species. Wild populations show a high prevalence, necessitating the establishment of monitoring programs to assess the health status of these animals. ABSTRACT: The wildcat (Felis silvestris) and the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) are important species in Spain, considered as near-threatened and endangered, respectively. Both can be infected by Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that can cause morbidity and mortality in transplacentally-infected or immunocompromised mammals. The data on the prevalence of this parasite in wild populations of these species in Spain are outdated. The objective of this study was to update information and evaluate the role of these felines in parasite epidemiology and the potential impact of the parasite on their conservation. Blood and fecal samples were collected from captured animals, as well as the tongue, diaphragm, and spleen, from animals killed in road accidents in central Spain. An indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was used to detect parasite antibodies in serum, microscopy and molecular analysis were used to detect oocysts in feces, and molecular analysis was used to determine the existence of tissue cysts. Seroprevalence was 85% in wildcats and 45% in lynx, and parasite DNA was detected in the feces of one wildcat and in tissue samples from 10 wildcats and 11 Iberian lynxes. These results highlight the epidemiological importance and high risk of T. gondii infection in animals and humans in the studied areas. Considering feline susceptibility to infection, monitoring programs are needed to assess the health status of wild felines.