Post-release challenges: case report of parasitosis by Ancylostoma sp. in a giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)

ABSTRACT The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is classified as vulnerable to extinction. Here, we report the occurrence of ancylostomiasis in a young male Myrmecophaga tridactyla. The animal was raised from a puppy in captivity with management directed toward rehabilitation and monitored soft release. Five months after release, significant weight loss was noted in the individual, who was captured for examinations, with detection of Ancylostoma sp. in coproparasitological analysis. Although common in domestic carnivores, this is the first report of hookworm disease in free-ranging giant anteaters. Due to the stress factor arising from adapting to the challenges in the new environment, long-term post-release monitoring of animals undergoing rehabilitation is extremely important to increase the chance of survival of individuals. The giant anteater was released after treatment with vermifuge composed of fenbendazole, pyrantel pamoate, and praziquantel

Molecular detection of piroplasmids in mammals from the Superorder Xenarthra in Brazil

Xenarthra mammals can be found from southern North America to southern South America, including all Brazilian biomes. Although it has been shown that Xenarthra mammals can play a role as reservoirs for several zoonotic agents, few studies investigate the diversity of piroplasmids (Apicomplexa: Piroplasmida) in this group of mammals. Taking into account that piroplasmids can cause disease in animals and humans, understanding the prevalence and diversity of piroplasmids in Xenarthra mammals would contribute to conservation efforts for this group of animals as well as to infer risk areas for transmission of emergent zoonosis. The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence and molecular identity of piroplasmids in free-living mammals of the Superorder Xenarthra from four Brazilian states (Mato Grosso do Sul, São Paulo, Rondônia, and Pará). For this, DNA was extracted from blood or spleen samples from 455 animals. A nested PCR based on the 18S rRNA gene was used as screening for piroplasmids. Of the 455 samples analyzed, 25 (5.5%) were positive. Additionally, PCR assays based on 18S rRNA near-complete, cox-1, cox-3, hsp70, cytB, β-tubulin genes and the ITS-1 intergenic region were performed. Five out of 25 positive samples also tested positive for ITS-1-based PCR. The phylogenetic analysis positioned three 18S rRNA sequences detected in Priodontes maximus into the same clade of Babesia sp. detected in marsupials (Didelphis albiventris, Didelphis marsupialis, and Monodelphis domestica) and Amblyomma dubitatum collected from opossums and coatis in Brazil. On the other hand, the 18S rRNA sequence obtained from Dasypus novemcinctus was closely related to a Theileria sp. sequence previously detected in armadillos from Mato Grosso State, grouping in a subclade within the Theileria sensu stricto clade. In the phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS-1 region, the sequences obtained from Myrmecophaga tridactyla and Tamandua tetradactyla were placed into a single clade, apart from the other piroplasmid clades. The present study demonstrated the molecular occurrence of Piroplasmida in anteaters and Babesia sp. and Theileria sp. in armadillos from Brazil

Wildlife hunting and the increased risk of leprosy transmission in the tropical Americas: a pathogeographical study

Background Leprosy remains a persistent public health challenge, where human-to-human transmission of Mycobacterium leprae via respiratory droplets is well established. In the tropical Americas, growing evidence implicates armadillos as important zoonotic reservoirs, particularly through direct contact during hunting and handling. However, such transmission has so far been considered rare and highly localised. This study provides a comprehensive spatial analysis of the role of armadillo hunting in human leprosy transmission, quantifying its contribution to disease prevalence and identifying geographic hotspots where interventions could be most effective. Methods Using Brazil’s 326,001 reported leprosy cases from 2013 to 2022, we applied a pathogeographical approach to explore transmission dynamics. We compiled data on 554 hunted armadillos across 175 municipalities and M. leprae prevalence in 376 armadillo individuals from 97 municipalities (mean prevalence = 38.5%). These were used to build spatial models assessing hunting-related infection risk and integrated as a variable into a generalised linear model alongside socioeconomic, climatic, and environmental predictors to evaluate their effects on human leprosy prevalence. Results Key predictors of armadillo hunting included higher population density (P < 0.001) and firearm availability (P < 0.01). Infection in armadillos was negatively correlated with native habitat coverage (coefficient: − 2.28; P < 0.001), suggesting that environmental degradation can amplify infection risk. The armadillo-hunting infection risk variable—generated by combining armadillo hunting and infection favourability models—emerged as the second strongest predictor of human leprosy prevalence (coefficient: 1.69; P < 0.001), accounting for ~ 25% of cases nationally and around 40% in deforestation hotspots. Additional positive predictors included greater precipitation seasonality (coefficient: 0.82; P < 0.001) and malnutrition (coefficient: 0.01; P < 0.001), while higher population density (coefficient: − 0.64; P < 0.001), natural habitat coverage (coefficient: − 0.50; P < 0.001) and socioeconomic status (coefficient: − 0.47; P = 0.013) were linked to reduced disease prevalence. Conclusions Armadillo hunting seems to play a more significant role in human leprosy transmission than previously recognised. To address this overlooked pathway, targeted interventions should focus on reducing unsafe and illegal hunting, improving communication around zoonotic risks, strengthening disease surveillance in high-risk areas, and conducting genetic studies to confirm wildlife-to-human transmission. Our findings highlight the importance of incorporating wildlife-associated transmission pathways into strategies to reduce disease prevalence and mitigate future outbreaks in tropical regions facing rapid environmental change and persistent poverty

Post-release challenges: case report of parasitosis by Ancylostoma sp. in a giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)

ABSTRACT The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is classified as vulnerable to extinction. Here, we report the occurrence of ancylostomiasis in a young male Myrmecophaga tridactyla. The animal was raised from a puppy in captivity with management directed toward rehabilitation and monitored soft release. Five months after release, significant weight loss was noted in the individual, who was captured for examinations, with detection of Ancylostoma sp. in coproparasitological analysis. Although common in domestic carnivores, this is the first report of hookworm disease in free-ranging giant anteaters. Due to the stress factor arising from adapting to the challenges in the new environment, long-term post-release monitoring of animals undergoing rehabilitation is extremely important to increase the chance of survival of individuals. The giant anteater was released after treatment with vermifuge composed of fenbendazole, pyrantel pamoate, and praziquantel.</div