A type II variant of Toxoplasma gondii infects the Eurasian otter ( Lutra lutra ) in southern Italy

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is a widespread zoonosis capable to affect a wide range of warm‐blooded vertebrates. In the past two decades, T. gondii emerged as a significant aquatic pathogen with some pathogenic atypical genotypes isolated and characterized from stranded marine mammals. In contrast, no information is available for mammals in freshwater environment. Although, otters are considered highly susceptible to T. gondii infection, to date molecular evidence of T. gondii in Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) does not exist. We report the first molecular evidence of T. gondii in a free‐ranging Eurasian otter from southern Italy, and characterized the present strain as a mixed genotype type II variant, with all loci type II except PK1 (locus sequence corresponding to type II variant B), B1 (locus sequence corresponding to type II/X A), and C29‐2 (locus with SNPs). Our results indicate circulation of a type II variant in freshwater environment which suggests potential risk of transmission to animals and humans. The finding of a potential pathogenic strain is of great concern for future conservation programs of the critically endangered Eurasian otter in southern Italy.