Exposure of Urban European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) to Toxoplasma gondii in Highly Populated Areas of Northeast Spain

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is a generalist zoonotic parasite that involves warm-blooded animals as intermediate hosts and felines as definitive hosts. Recent studies have shown significant positive associations between human population density and T. gondii seroprevalence in wildlife. However, there is a lack of data regarding the exposure of T. gondii in urban wildlife. The present study aimed to analyse the T. gondii exposure of urban hedgehogs from the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona, NE Spain. Our results reported a high seroprevalence of urban hedgehogs to the parasite, reinforcing the association between human population density and environmental T. gondii oocysts. Urban hedgehogs could be good candidates for sentinels of the presence of T. gondii oocysts in anthropised areas. In addition, the role of vertical transmission of T. gondii in hedgehogs, as well as the impact of T. gondii on the health of urban wildlife species, needs further research. Toxoplasma gondii is a generalist zoonotic parasite that involves a wide range of warm-blooded animals as intermediate hosts and felines as definitive hosts. Recent studies have proved significant positive associations between human population density and T. gondii seroprevalence in wildlife. However, there is limited data regarding T. gondii wildlife in urban areas, where the highest human density occurs. The present study aimed to analyse the T. gondii exposure in urban hedgehogs from the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona, NE Spain. One hundred eighteen hedgehogs were analysed for the presence of antibodies (modified agglutination test; n = 55) and parasite DNA (qPCR; heart = 34; brain = 60). Antibodies were detected in 69.09% of hedgehogs. T. gondii DNA was not detected in any of the analysed samples. The present study reports a high T. gondii seroprevalence in urban hedgehogs in areas surrounding Barcelona, the most densely human-populated area of NE Spain, reinforcing the association between human population density and environmental T. gondii oocysts. The lack of detection by molecular techniques warrants more studies. In the last few decades, the distribution and abundance of European hedgehogs have declined, including their urban populations. Further research is needed to investigate the impact of T. gondii on hedgehog populations.