Results
The presence of selected parasites (T. gondii , N. caninum , and E. cuniculi ) and bacteria (C. abortus and C. burnetii ) was monitored in zoo animals from Slovenia. Antibodies toT. gondii , N. caninum , and E. cuniculi were detected in 37% (46/123), 3% (4/122), and 55% (52/95) of mammals, respectively, and in 0% (0/50), 3% (1/30), and 34% (11/32) of birds, respectively (Table 1).
In mammals, the highest prevalence of T. gondii antibodies was found in Carnivora (78%), including two lynx, one leopard, one tiger, and three brown bears. Higher T. gondii seroprevalence was found in females compared to males and in omnivores compared to carnivores and herbivores, but without the statistical differences (p> 0.05). A statistically significant difference of T. gondii prevalence was found in Carnivora (95% CI: 50.6–100%) compared to Cetartiodactyla (p = 0.0227, 95% CI: 21.7–45%) and Primates (p = 0.0084, 95% CI: 38.6–78.1%). Antibodies toN. caninum were detected only in Cetartiodactyla (6%) without statistical differences (p > 0.05) in order, sex, and diet. The highest prevalence of E. cuniculi antibodies was found in Lagomorpha (83%) and Cetartiodactyla (65%). There was a statistically significant difference in seroprevalence in Camelidae (66.7%, 95% CI: 35.9–97.5%) compared to Bovidae (p = 0.0243, 81.3%, 95% CI: 67.7–94.8%). Herbivores (63.2%, 95% CI: 52.3–74%) had a higher chance of being infected with E. cuniculi compared to omnivores (p = 0.0015, 13.3%, 95% CI: 0–30.5%). Mixed infection with T. gondii and N. caninum was found in 1.6% (2/122) of mammals (two domestic sheep), E. cuniculi and T. gondii in 17% (16/95) of mammals (three from Carnivora and 13 from Cetartiodactyla), and E. cuniculi and N. caninum in 3% (3/94) of mammals (from Cetartiodactyla). Two domestic sheep had antibodies to all three parasites. Antibodies to C. abortus andC. burnetii were not found in any of the animals tested. The results of the serological examination of mammals according to different characteristics are presented in Table 2.
In birds, antibodies to N. caninum were found in one animal, in a 14-year-old female blue-and-yellow macaw Ara ararauna , and antibodies to E. cuniculi were found in 34% (11/32) of animals, in 8- and 15-year-old male mute swans, and in five female and four male helmeted guineafowls (Numida meleagris ) 6 months to 5 years old. There was no mixed infection of N. caninum and E. cuniculi . All the birds tested were negative for antibodies to T. gondii (0/50) and C. abortus (0/26).
Antibodies to T. gondii , N. caninum , E. cuniculi , and C. burnetii were not found in any of the 39 wild rodents; antibodies to C. abortus were not examined.
The parasite T. gondii was found by PCR in the tissue of seven of 21 (33%) animals, in two mute swans, one laboratory mouse, two eastern house mice, one yellow-necked field mouse, and one striped field mouse. The sample from a mute swan was successfully genotyped and characterized as type II. The parasites N. caninum and E. cuniculi were not found by PCR in any of the tissue samples.