Molecular detection of Sarcocystis spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in wild macaws (Ara ararauna) rescued from illegal trade in Brazil

ABSTRACT Bird species participate in the life cycle and epidemiology of sarcocyst organisms, but the number of involved species remains unclear; thus, the importance of wild macaws as intermediate hosts needs to be elucidated. This study aimed to identify members of the Sarcocystidae family in naturally infected groups of wild macaws rescued from animal trafficking operations in Brazil. Pectoral and cardiac muscle samples from seven wild macaws were screened for Sarcocystis spp. and Toxoplasma gondii using nested polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis using primers specific for the 18S rRNA gene. Of the 14 DNA samples analyzed, 13 were positive for at least one pathogenic agent. T. gondii was detected in 1/7, S. falcatula or S. neurona was detected in 4/7, and other Sarcocystis species were detected in 1/7 pectoral muscle samples. All cardiac muscle samples (7/7) were positive for S. neurona or S. falcatula. Thus, wild macaws act as intermediate hosts for Sarcocystis spp. and T. gondii.