Parasite prevalence in wild birds across preserved and human-modified landscapes of the Atlantic Forest, Brazil
1
Programa de Pós-graduação em Doenças Infecciosas, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo – UFES, Vitória, Brasil
2
Unidade de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo – UFES, Vitória, Brasil
3
Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo – USP, São Paulo - SP, Brasil
4
Secretaria de Estado de Saúde de São Paulo, Instituto Pasteur, São Paulo - SP, Brasil
5
Centro de Parasitologia e Micologia, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo - SP, Brasil
6
Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Universidade de São Paulo – USP, São Paulo - SP, Brasil
7
Núcleo de Morfologia e Microscopia, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo - SP, Brasil
8
Instituto Nacional da Mata Atlântica - INMA, Santa Teresa-ES, Brasil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A436
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Emerging infectious diseases increasingly originate at the human–environment interface, particularly in regions undergoing environmental degradation and social vulnerability¹,². Integrating ecological data into public health surveillance systems is essential for early detection and prevention of zoonotic risks³. Within this context, the One Health approach has been recognized as a strategic framework linking human, animal, and environmental health⁴,⁵. Wild birds are especially relevant due to their ecological sensitivity, mobility, and potential role as reservoirs or sentinels of pathogens of public health importance³,⁶.
METHODS:
This study assessed the prevalence and diversity of parasites in wild birds from forested and human-modified areas of the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil between 2021 and 2023. Birds were captured using mist nets, and blood and fecal samples were collected for the detection of hemoparasites and intestinal parasites using standard parasitological methods.
RESULTS:
Overall parasite prevalence was 44%, with higher occurrence in preserved forest environments. The most frequently detected parasites were Trypanosoma spp. (34.6%) and Plasmodium spp. (18%), followed by microfilariae (9%) and intestinal protozoa, including Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba spp., Giardia spp., and Isospora spp. All samples tested negative for Toxoplasma gondii. The observed prevalence exceeded values previously reported for wild birds in the Neotropical region.
CONCLUSIONS:
The prevalence and diversity of parasites detected highlight the relevance of wild birds as components of integrated public health surveillance systems. Wildlife-based parasite monitoring can contribute to early detection of infectious agents circulating across ecosystems, supporting preparedness for emerging zoonotic risks. Incorporating ecological surveillance into public health strategies aligns with the One Health approach by linking environmental monitoring, biodiversity conservation, and disease prevention, thereby promoting more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable public health policies.
Emerging infectious diseases increasingly originate at the human–environment interface, particularly in regions undergoing environmental degradation and social vulnerability¹,². Integrating ecological data into public health surveillance systems is essential for early detection and prevention of zoonotic risks³. Within this context, the One Health approach has been recognized as a strategic framework linking human, animal, and environmental health⁴,⁵. Wild birds are especially relevant due to their ecological sensitivity, mobility, and potential role as reservoirs or sentinels of pathogens of public health importance³,⁶.
METHODS:
This study assessed the prevalence and diversity of parasites in wild birds from forested and human-modified areas of the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil between 2021 and 2023. Birds were captured using mist nets, and blood and fecal samples were collected for the detection of hemoparasites and intestinal parasites using standard parasitological methods.
RESULTS:
Overall parasite prevalence was 44%, with higher occurrence in preserved forest environments. The most frequently detected parasites were Trypanosoma spp. (34.6%) and Plasmodium spp. (18%), followed by microfilariae (9%) and intestinal protozoa, including Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba spp., Giardia spp., and Isospora spp. All samples tested negative for Toxoplasma gondii. The observed prevalence exceeded values previously reported for wild birds in the Neotropical region.
CONCLUSIONS:
The prevalence and diversity of parasites detected highlight the relevance of wild birds as components of integrated public health surveillance systems. Wildlife-based parasite monitoring can contribute to early detection of infectious agents circulating across ecosystems, supporting preparedness for emerging zoonotic risks. Incorporating ecological surveillance into public health strategies aligns with the One Health approach by linking environmental monitoring, biodiversity conservation, and disease prevention, thereby promoting more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable public health policies.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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