Regional seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in feral and stray cats (Felis catus) from Tasmania

2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bronwyn A. Fancourt ◽  
Robert B. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Tasmanian Devil ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Modified Agglutination Test ◽  
Stray Cats

Toxoplasma gondii is a cosmopolitan protozoan parasite of felids that also has significant implications for the health of wildlife, livestock and humans worldwide. In Australia, feral, stray and domestic cats (Felis catus) are the most important definitive host of T. gondii as they are the only species that can excrete the environmentally resistant oocysts that provide a major source of infection for mammals and birds. In Tasmania, the rapid decline of the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) may allow an increase in feral cat abundance, thereby increasing the risk of T. gondii infection to a range of susceptible wildlife species. At present, there is scant information on the prevalence of T. gondii infection in feral cat populations across Tasmania. We tested feral cats from 13 regions across Tasmania for the presence of T. gondii–specific IgG antibodies using a modified agglutination test. Results were combined with serosurveys from three previous studies to enable a comparison of seroprevalence among 14 regions across Tasmania. We found that 84.2% (224 of 266) of cats tested positive for T. gondii IgG antibodies. This is among the highest rates of prevalence recorded from Australia, and significantly higher than for most other countries. Adult cats had higher seroprevalence than kittens but there was no difference between sexes. In Tasmania, seroprevalence was high in 12 of 14 regions (range: 79.3–100.0%), with only two regions (Tasman Island and Southern Tasmania) recording significantly lower seroprevalence (≤50%). This suggests a high risk of infection across Tasmania, and has significant implications for wildlife conservation should feral cat abundance increase with the ongoing declines in Tasmanian devils.

Variation in Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence: effects of site, sex, species and behaviour between insular and mainland macropods

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick L. Taggart ◽  
Bronwyn A. Fancourt ◽  
David Peacock ◽  
Charles G. B. Caraguel ◽  
Milton M. McAllister
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Road Mortality ◽  
High Seroprevalence ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Macropus Eugenii ◽  
Modified Agglutination Test ◽  
Latent Disease ◽  
Multiple Species ◽  
Indirect Impacts

Context Feral cats threaten wildlife conservation through a range of direct and indirect effects. However, most studies that have evaluated the impacts of feral cats on species of conservation significance have focussed on direct impacts such as predation; few studies have considered the indirect impacts of cat-borne disease. Toxoplasma gondii, a cat-borne parasite, causes both acute and latent disease in a range of wildlife species, and macropods are particularly susceptible. Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third largest island and supports a high density of feral cats and high seroprevalence of T. gondii in multiple species, relative to the mainland. This suggests that Kangaroo Island has a high environmental contamination with the parasite and a high risk of infection for other species. Aims We aimed to describe T. gondii seroprevalence in culled and road-killed macropods, so as to assess the effects of island versus mainland location, sex, species and behaviour. Methods Macropod sera were tested for T. gondii IgG antibodies using a commercially available modified agglutination test. Key results The seroprevalence of T. gondii in culled western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus) was significantly higher on the island (20%, 11/54 positive) than on the mainland (0%, 0/61 positive). There was no difference in T. gondii seroprevalence between culled and road-killed (21%, 21/102 positive) kangaroos from the island. The seroprevalence of T. gondii was significantly higher in female (32%, 12/38 positive) than in male (13%, 8/60 positive) kangaroos, but we observed no sex effect in tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii), and no effect of species. Conclusions The higher T. gondii seroprevalence in insular macropods supports previous reports of higher T. gondii exposure in other Kangaroo Island fauna. The lack of difference in T. gondii seroprevalence between culled and road-killed kangaroos suggests that T. gondii-positive animals are not more vulnerable to road mortality, in contrast to that suggested previously. Implications Our findings suggest greater potential adverse conservation impacts owing to toxoplasmosis on the island than on the mainland. In light of a recent study demonstrating higher cat abundance on the island than on the mainland, the higher observed T. gondii seroprevalence in insular macropods is likely to be a consequence of higher cat density.

scholarly journals First report on seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep and goats in North Lebanon

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (09) ◽  
pp. 831-836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dima El Safadi ◽  
Dany Abi Chahine ◽  
Alissar Al Tarraf ◽  
Omar Raii ◽  
Karim Mesto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Immunoglobulin G ◽  
Agglutination Test ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Transplacental Transmission ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Modified Agglutination Test ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is of dual importance in both public and veterinary health due to the respective risk of transplacental transmission in primo-infected pregnant women and economic losses caused by abortions in mammals. One of the main routes of Toxoplasma gondii transmission to humans is the consumption of raw or undercooked meats containing parasitic cysts. Here, we performed the first epidemiological study to determine the seroprevalence and the risk factors of toxoplasmosis in livestock in Lebanon. Methodology: Using a modified agglutination test with a cut-off of 1:40, we tested the positivity rate of Immunoglobulin G antibodies in the sera of 100 sheep and 80 goats collected from 18 different livestock farms located in North Lebanon between March and June 2018. Results: Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies were detected in 42% of sheep and 34% of goats. Adults (> 1 year) were significantly more infected by T. gondii than the lambs (< 1 year) in both species (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings indicated that food animals are highly exposed to T. gondii in Lebanon and could be potentially a major risk factor of T. gondii infection to humans. Consequently, national prophylactic strategies should be implemented to control and to prevent T. gondii transmission between animals and humans.

scholarly journals Analysis of the accuracy of different laboratory methods for the diagnosis of intestinal parasites from stray and domiciled cats (Felis catus domesticus) in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-97
Author(s):  
Jaqueline Ataíde Silva Lima ◽  
Hanstter Hallison Alves Rezende ◽  
Tamires Mariana Dias Damas Rocha ◽  
Ana Maria de Castro
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Negative Predictive Value ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Accuracy Analysis ◽  
Laboratory Methods ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Stray Cats ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Abstract Cats are carriers of zoonotic agents to humans, including intestinal parasites. The purpose of this study was to analyze the accuracy of different laboratory methods for the diagnosis of intestinal parasites. Fecal samples were processed by the Willis, Sheather, Faust and Hoffman-Janer-Pons-Lutz (HJPL) methods. Accuracy analysis was performed determining the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and Kappa. A total of 149 fecal samples were collected, 65 from stray cats and 84 from domiciled cats. The prevalence of intestinal parasites in stray cats was 60% while in domiciled cats it was 17%. In the analysis of accuracy, the techniques that showed the greatest accuracy for Ancylostomids were Willis and Faust, for Cystoisospora spp. Sheather with Faust or HPJL, and Toxoplasma gondii/Hammondia hammondi the association between Willis and Faust. Therefore, for a reliable evaluation of the prevalence of intestinal parasites, at least two different techniques should be used in parasitological exams of feces.

scholarly journals Validation of the Use of Dried Blood Samples for the Detection of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Stray Cats (Felis s. catus)

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 864
Author(s):  
Julie Simon ◽  
Dominique Aubert ◽  
Régine Geers ◽  
Isabelle Villena ◽  
Marie-Lazarine Poulle
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Kappa Coefficient ◽  
Agglutination Test ◽  
Sample Type ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Blotting Paper ◽  
Modified Agglutination Test ◽  
Stray Cats ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Dilution Level

If validated beforehand, the analysis of dried blood on blotting paper (BP samples) is very useful for monitoring free-ranging animals. We aimed to validate this method for the detection of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in stray cats. We used the modified agglutination test (MAT) in 199 sample pairs of sera and BP samples from 54, 39, 56, and 50 cats trapped during four periods in five dairy farms. Screening was at 1:6, 1:12, and 1:24 dilutions. The cut-off value was at MAT titre ≥ 24, but MAT titre ≥ 12 was also considered for BP samples that often have a higher dilution level. Depending on the period, sample type, and cut-off value, sensitivity of the analysis of the BP sample vs. serum varied from 87.1% to 100% and specificity ranged from 72.22% to 100%. The concordance values and Kappa coefficient showed a substantial to excellent agreement between the results of the two methods, whatever the cut-off value. These findings quantifiably validate the use of MAT on BP samples for the detection of antibodies to T. gondii in stray cats, but we recommend expressing results from BP samples with several cut-off values as the MAT titres tend to be lower than those of sera.

scholarly journals Inactivation of Toxoplasma gondii Bradyzoites after Salt Exposure during Preparation of Dry-Cured Hams

2020 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 1038-1042 ◽  
Author(s):  
JORRELL FREDERICKS ◽  
DIANE S. HAWKINS-COOPER ◽  
DOLORES E. HILL ◽  
JOHN B. LUCHANSKY ◽  
ANNA C. S. PORTO-FETT ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Foodborne Pathogens ◽  
Trichinella Spiralis ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Mouse Bioassay ◽  
Modified Agglutination Test ◽  
Frequent Use ◽  
Inspection Service ◽  
Step Over ◽  
The U.S

ABSTRACT Foodborne pathogens continue to pose a public health risk and can cause serious illness and significant outbreaks of disease in consumers. Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease that occurs worldwide and is caused by the protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. The consumption of raw or undercooked infected meat, including pork, that contains infectious stages of T. gondii has been regarded as a major route of T. gondii transmission to humans. Given the occasional presence of T. gondii in pork meat, the frequent use of pork for products not intended to be cooked, such as dry-cured ham, presents a potential risk for its transmission to consumers. In this study, we investigated the viability of T. gondii in dry-cured whole hams processed using methods that were previously required for treatment of hams to inactivate Trichinella spiralis in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (9 CFR 318.10) and are now described in guidance documents from the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service. Infected pork hams were salted and cured for 33 days at 3°C and 85% ± 5% relative humidity (RH) and then were dried for up to 12 months at 12°C and 67.5% ± 2.5% RH. Inactivation of T. gondii was assessed in mouse bioassays and, serologically, by the modified agglutination test (MAT). Results showed that T. gondii bradyzoites were inactivated during the salting and curing step (33 days); no viable T. gondii was detected in the mouse bioassay and no evidence of serological conversion was detected by MAT in any of the mice inoculated with any of the samples tested during the drying step over the 12 months of the experiment. These results demonstrated that the approved protocols for production of dry-cured hams validated herein can inactivate T. gondii and lower the risk to consumers of this product. HIGHLIGHTS

scholarly journals Blood Parasites in Endangered Wildlife-Trypanosomes Discovered during a Survey of Haemoprotozoa from the Tasmanian Devil

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 873
Author(s):  
Siobhon L. Egan ◽  
Manuel Ruiz-Aravena ◽  
Jill M. Austen ◽  
Xavier Barton ◽  
Sebastien Comte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Tasmanian Devil ◽  
Devil Facial Tumour Disease ◽  
Transmissible Cancer ◽  
Carnivorous Marsupial ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Single Blood Sample

The impact of emerging infectious diseases is increasingly recognised as a major threat to wildlife. Wild populations of the endangered Tasmanian devil, Sarcophilus harrisii, are experiencing devastating losses from a novel transmissible cancer, devil facial tumour disease (DFTD); however, despite the rapid decline of this species, there is currently no information on the presence of haemoprotozoan parasites. In the present study, 95 Tasmanian devil blood samples were collected from four populations in Tasmania, Australia, which underwent molecular screening to detect four major groups of haemoprotozoa: (i) trypanosomes, (ii) piroplasms, (iii) Hepatozoon, and (iv) haemosporidia. Sequence results revealed Trypanosoma infections in 32/95 individuals. Trypanosoma copemani was identified in 10 Tasmanian devils from three sites and a second Trypanosoma sp. was identified in 22 individuals that were grouped within the poorly described T. cyclops clade. A single blood sample was positive for Babesia sp., which most closely matched Babesia lohae. No other blood protozoan parasite DNA was detected. This study provides the first insight into haemoprotozoa from the Tasmanian devil and the first identification of Trypanosoma and Babesia in this carnivorous marsupial.

scholarly journals Indirect Hemagglutination Test for Detection of Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in Venezuelan felids

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Israel Cañizales
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Hemagglutination Test ◽  
Stray Cats ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Indirect Hemagglutination ◽  
Indirect Hemagglutination Test

Abstract Current knowledge of Toxoplasma gondii infection in Venezuelan ecosystems is limited. T. gondii is a ubiquitous intracellular protozoan parasite. Mammals and birds are intermediate hosts and felid species are definitive hosts. In most human altered habitats, the domestic cat is the predominant definitive host. Cats are important in the epidemiology of T. gondii infection because they are the only hosts that can excrete the environmentally resistant oocysts. Other carnivores can be infected by the consumption of tissue cysts when feeding on infected animals and by incidental ingestion of oocysts from environmental contamination. This study aimed to quantify the values of antibodies for T. gondii in blood serum of some felids species by means of the technique of Indirect Hemoagglutination. In the present study, seropositivity of T. gondii was determined in serum of 35 animals (22 stray cats and 13 wild cats) from Venezuela, South America. Antibodies to T. gondii were assayed by the indirect hemagglutination test and found in 21 of 22 (95.45 %) stray catstiters of 1:64 in four, 1:128 in four, 1:256 in one, 1:512 in one, 1:1024 in three, and 1:2048 or higher in eight. In 4 of 6 (66.67 %) ocelots titers of 1:64 in one, 1:256 in one, 1:1024 in one, and one with titers 1:2048. In 3 of 4 (75.00 %) jaguars titers of 1:512 in one, and two with titers 1:2048. The Kruskal-Wallis test showed a statistically significant difference between species (H = 6.983, p = 0.03).

scholarly journals Serosurvey and Molecular Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in Dogs in Rural Areas of Kazeroun District, Fars Province, Southern Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Zahra Rezaei ◽  
Ali Zeighami ◽  
Reza Shahriarirad ◽  
Amirhossein Erfani ◽  
Mohammad Rastegarian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Systemic Disease ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Fars Province ◽  
Toxoplasma Infection ◽  
Southern Iran ◽  
Modified Agglutination Test ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Age Range

Background. Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite responsible for systemic disease in a wide range of warm-blooded animals. The current study is aimed at evaluating the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection in dogs, using serological and molecular methods in rural areas in Kazeroun Township, Fars province, southern Iran. Methods. Blood samples were obtained from 60 clinically healthy dogs with an age range of 1 to 7 years in three rural areas of Fars province, southern Iran. Sera and buffy coats were used to assess the T. gondii infection using both modified agglutination test (MAT) and real-time PCR. Results. Antibodies against T. gondii were detected in 5 out of 60 (8.3%) dogs by the MAT method, and T. gondii DNA was detected in 17 out of 60 (28.3%) studied animals. There was no significant association between sex and seropositivity to Toxoplasma ( p > 0.05 ). Fair agreement ( kappa = 0.27 ) was seen between molecular and serological findings where three dogs with positive serological results had a positive molecular test. Conclusion. Findings of the present study show a relatively high prevalence of T. gondii infection in dogs in rural areas in Fars province, southern Iran. Finding the parasite genotype in dogs deserves further study.

scholarly journals Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in wild rodents and marsupials from the Atlantic Forest, state of São Paulo, Brazil

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 379-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solange Maria Gennari ◽  
Maria Halina Ogrzewalska ◽  
Herbert Sousa Soares ◽  
Danilo Gonçalves Saraiva ◽  
Adriano Pinter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Wild Rodents ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Modified Agglutination Test ◽  
Didelphis Aurita

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that infects a large spectrum of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Small rodents and marsupials play an important role in the epidemiology of T. gondii because they are sources of infection for domestic and feral cats. Serum samples from 151 rodents and 48 marsupials, captured in the Atlantic Forest, São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil, were analyzed for the presence of T. gondii antibodies. Antibodies detected by the modified agglutination test (MAT ≥ 25) were found in 8.6% (13/151) of the rodents and 10.4% (5/48) of the marsupials, with titers ranging from 25 to 6400 and from 25 to 3200, respectively for the rodents and marsupials. Three of the eight species of rodents (Akodon spp., Oligoryzomys nigripesand Rattus norvegicus), and one from the four marsupial species (Didelphis aurita) presented positive animals. T. gondii was described for the first time in the rodent Oligoryzomys nigripes.

scholarly journals Exposure of pelagic seabirds to Toxoplasma gondii in the Western Indian Ocean points to an open sea dispersal of this terrestrial parasite

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0255664
Author(s):  
Marie-Lazarine Poulle ◽  
Matthieu Le Corre ◽  
Matthieu Bastien ◽  
Elsa Gedda ◽  
Chris Feare ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Western Indian Ocean ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Modified Agglutination Test ◽  
Open Sea ◽  
Initial Deposition ◽  
Paratenic Hosts

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that uses felids as definitive hosts and warm-blooded animals as intermediate hosts. While the dispersal of T. gondii infectious oocysts from land to coastal waters has been well documented, transmission routes to pelagic species remain puzzling. We used the modified agglutination test (MAT titre ≥ 10) to detect antibodies against T. gondii in sera collected from 1014 pelagic seabirds belonging to 10 species. Sampling was carried out on eight islands of the Western Indian Ocean: Reunion and Juan de Nova (colonized by cats), Cousin, Cousine, Aride, Bird, Europa and Tromelin islands (cat-free). Antibodies against T. gondii were found in all islands and all species but the great frigatebird. The overall seroprevalence was 16.8% [95% CI: 14.5%-19.1%] but significantly varied according to species, islands and age-classes. The low antibody levels (MAT titres = 10 or 25) detected in one shearwater and three red-footed booby chicks most likely resulted from maternal antibody transfer. In adults, exposure to soils contaminated by locally deposited oocysts may explain the detection of antibodies in both wedge-tailed shearwaters on Reunion Island and sooty terns on Juan de Nova. However, 144 adults breeding on cat-free islands also tested positive. In the Seychelles, there was a significant decrease in T. gondii prevalence associated with greater distances to cat populations for species that sometimes rest on the shore, i.e. terns and noddies. This suggests that oocysts carried by marine currents could be deposited on shore tens of kilometres from their initial deposition point and that the number of deposited oocysts decreases with distance from the nearest cat population. The consumption of fishes from the families Mullidae, Carangidae, Clupeidae and Engraulidae, previously described as T. gondii oocyst-carriers (i.e. paratenic hosts), could also explain the exposure of terns, noddies, boobies and tropicbirds to T. gondii. Our detection of antibodies against T. gondii in seabirds that fish in the high sea, have no contact with locally contaminated soils but frequent the shores and/or consume paratenic hosts supports the hypothesis of an open-sea dispersal of T. gondii oocysts by oceanic currents and/or fish.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document