Toxoplasmosis in Bennett's wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus) in Spain

Toxoplasmosis is one of the more common parasitic zoonoses world-wide. In this study, an epizootic of toxoplasmosis among captive Bennett's wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus) from different locations is reported. By means of light microscopy, Toxoplasma gondii-like tachyzoites were observed associated to interstitial pneumonia, non-suppurative myocarditis, cholangiohepatitis and severe gastroenteritis. The protozoa stained positively with a T. gondii antibody and ultrastructurally were similar to T. gondii. Strikingly, tachyzoites appeared sometimes in an intranuclear location within granulocyte-like cells. Feral cats or reactivation of a latent infection are discussed as the possible sources of infection. As far as we know, this is the first confirmed report of toxoplasmosis in Bennett's wallabies in Spain and Europe, and may constitute a risk of infection for humans since new alimentary habits are being imposed in our countries.