Occurrence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in scavenging black vultures (Coragyps atratus) in Brazil

Abstract

This is the first report of Toxoplasma gondii infection in black vultures (Coragyps atratus), which are obligate scavengers found throughout the Americas. Serum samples from 121 wild black vultures caught in urban areas of the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, were tested for the presence of T. gondii antibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT; cutoff point 1:5). T. gondii antibodies were found in 16 birds (13.2%), with titers of 1:5 (6 birds), 1:10 (8 birds), and 1:20 (2 birds).

Keywords

• Coragyps atratus
• Black vulture
• Toxoplasma gondii
• Antibodies
• Brazil