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<p>Feral cats in insular environments represent a relevant interface between wildlife, environmental contamination, and zoonotic risk under a One Health perspective, as feralization increases exposure to infections and facilitates pathogen transmission. Herein, we surveyed <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>, <i>Sarcocystis</i> spp., <i>Neospora caninum,</i> and SARS-CoV-2 in Furtada Island, Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where there has been a feral cat population since the 1950s. This study aimed to investigate serological, molecular, and morphological indicators of infection in feral cats by assessing antibodies against <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>, <i>Sarcocystis</i> spp., <i>Neospora caninum</i>, and SARS-CoV-2, detecting Apicomplexa DNA in reproductive tissues, and evaluating the morphology of the uterus, ovaries, testes, and epididymides. It was demonstrated that 40.4% (21/52) were exposed to <i>T. gondii</i>, 13.7% (7/52) were exposed to <i>Sarcocystis</i> spp., and no cats were seropositive for <i>N. caninum</i>. Additionally, no feline was positive for SARS-CoV-2 through serological investigation. No histological changes were observed in the reproductive tissues, and the DNA of the agents was not detected using molecular methods. This is the first investigation of host–pathogen interaction in feral cats from Furtada Island in southeastern Brazil. The data confirm that <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> and <i>Sarcocystis</i> spp. are circulating within this feral cat population. These findings highlight the importance of feral cats as sentinels of environmental contamination and support the need for One Health-based surveillance strategies in insular ecosystems.</p>

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Serology and PCR for Apicomplexa and SARS-CoV-2 in feral cats from a Brazilian island

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月24日

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  • Erica Rodrigues de Matos,
  • Alex Heringer Reis,
  • Leila Maria de Carvalho Alves dos Santos,
  • Gabriela Oliveira Pereira,
  • Asheley Henrique Barbosa Pereira,
  • Helena Saraiva Koenow Pinheiro,
  • Matheus Dias Cordeiro,
  • Bruna de Azevedo Baêta,
  • Vera Lucia Teixeira de Jesus,
  • Fagner D’Ambroso Fernandes,
  • Fernanda Silveira Flores Vogel,
  • Débora Alexandra de Moura Gabriel,
  • Orlando da Costa Ferreira Junior,
  • André Felipe Andrade dos Santos,
  • Carla Campos,
  • Daniel Guimarães Ubiali,
  • Andressa Ferreira da Silva

摘要

Feral cats in insular environments represent a relevant interface between wildlife, environmental contamination, and zoonotic risk under a One Health perspective, as feralization increases exposure to infections and facilitates pathogen transmission. Herein, we surveyed Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis spp., Neospora caninum, and SARS-CoV-2 in Furtada Island, Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where there has been a feral cat population since the 1950s. This study aimed to investigate serological, molecular, and morphological indicators of infection in feral cats by assessing antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis spp., Neospora caninum, and SARS-CoV-2, detecting Apicomplexa DNA in reproductive tissues, and evaluating the morphology of the uterus, ovaries, testes, and epididymides. It was demonstrated that 40.4% (21/52) were exposed to T. gondii, 13.7% (7/52) were exposed to Sarcocystis spp., and no cats were seropositive for N. caninum. Additionally, no feline was positive for SARS-CoV-2 through serological investigation. No histological changes were observed in the reproductive tissues, and the DNA of the agents was not detected using molecular methods. This is the first investigation of host–pathogen interaction in feral cats from Furtada Island in southeastern Brazil. The data confirm that Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis spp. are circulating within this feral cat population. These findings highlight the importance of feral cats as sentinels of environmental contamination and support the need for One Health-based surveillance strategies in insular ecosystems.