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January 14, 2026Pathogens2 citationsOpen Access

2000–2025: A Quarter of a Century of Studies on Pet Ownership in the Amazon—Epidemiological Implications for Public Health

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CVColine J. VanderhooftEDEduardo A. DíazCSCarolina Sáenz

Key Points

  • To evaluate zoonotic pathogens in companion animals and their public health implications in the Amazon region.
  • Conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines
  • Included studies from nine Amazonian countries published between 2000 and 2025
  • Analyzed prevalence of zoonotic pathogens like Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania spp.
  • Zoonotic pathogens widely distributed among companion animals in the Amazon
  • Identified Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania spp. as prevalent infections
  • Highlighted geographic bias with underrepresentation in various Amazonian regions

Abstract

Anthropogenic pressures in the Amazon Basin are reshaping human–animal–environment interactions and increasing zoonotic disease risk. Within this One Health context, domestic dogs and cats are underrecognized contributors to pathogen circulation at the human–wildlife interface. We conducted a PRISMA-compliant systematic review of zoonotic pathogens reported in companion animals across Amazonian territories in nine countries, including literature published between 2000 and 2025 in four languages. Zoonotic pathogens showed a heterogeneous yet widespread distribution, with parasitic infections, particularly Leishmania spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and vector-borne protozoa, being the most frequently reported. A pronounced geographic bias was evident, with studies concentrated in Brazil and selected areas of the western Amazon, while large portions of the Basin remain understudied. Methodological limitations included reliance on cross-sectional designs and heterogeneous diagnostic approaches, often based solely on serology. These findings highlight the need to strengthen One Health-oriented governance frameworks that integrate animal health surveillance into environmental and public health policies. Priority actions include expanding surveillance to underrepresented regions, harmonizing diagnostic protocols, investing in regional laboratory capacity, and promoting community-based monitoring. Strengthened cross-sectoral and transboundary coordination is essential to reduce zoonotic risk and support evidence-based disease prevention in Amazonian ecosystems.

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Cite This Study

Vanderhooft et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6966e70e13bf7a6f02bff3behttps://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15010077
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Editorial: Emerging zoonotic diseases: understanding and mitigating risks at animal-human interfaces2026
  2. 2Pet and Stray Dogs’ Contribution to Zoonotic Transmission Pathways: A Bibliometric Review2025
  3. 3The widespread keeping of wild pets in the Neotropics: An overlooked risk for human, livestock and wildlife health2024 · 15 citations
  4. 4Public acceptance of policy measures to prevent and combat infectious diseases in pets: a systematic literature review.2025
  5. 5Beyond companionship: Current practices and future perspectives in antimicrobial resistance surveillance among companion animals2026