Trypanosoma cruzi in anteaters from southeastern Brazil: molecular evidence and implications for sylvatic...

Anthropogenic environmental changes have intensified interactions among wildlife, domestic animals, and humans, reshaping parasite transmission dynamics. In this context, anteaters may play an important role as hosts within sylvatic transmission networks of Trypanosoma cruzi. This study investigated the occurrence and molecular characterization of T. cruzi in anteaters from São Paulo State, Brazil. Whole blood samples from 26 individuals were analyzed using PCR assays targeting the 18S rRNA gene, followed by sequencing and Bayesian phylogenetic inference. Trypanosoma cruzi DNA was detected in 42.3% (11/26) of the samples. Sequence analysis revealed high similarity (93.66-99.65%) with reference strains available in GenBank, and phylogenetic reconstruction confirmed that all sequences clustered within the T. cruzi clade with low intraspecific divergence. No statistically significant associations were observed between infection status and host-related variables, including host species (p = 0.348), sex (p = 1.000), age class (p = 0.674), and sampling season (p = 0.275), indicating no evidence of these factors as determinants of infection in the studied population. Positive individuals were identified across multiple municipalities, with a spatial concentration in the central-western region of São Paulo State, suggesting widespread circulation of the parasite in anthropogenically influenced landscapes. Although no clear temporal pattern could be established due to opportunistic sampling, the detection of infected individuals across different years supports the persistence of T. cruzi in these host populations. These findings provide molecular evidence of T. cruzi infection in anteaters from southeastern Brazil and reinforce their relevance as hosts in sylvatic transmission networks. The results highlight the importance of wildlife in maintaining parasite circulation and emphasize the need for integrative approaches combining molecular, ecological, and epidemiological data to better understand host-parasite dynamics and potential transmission interfaces.