Epidemiologic observations on feline immunodeficiency virus and Toxoplasma gondii coinfection in cats in Baltimore, Md.
Five hundred eighty-five serum samples obtained between 1980 and 1981 from a diverse population of cats were tested by use of an indirect immunoperoxidase assay for antibodies to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Results of 14 of the samples were positive (prevalence, 2.4%). The FIV-positive cats were markedly older than the overall population and frequently were coinfected (57%) with Toxoplasma gondii. The Toxoplasma titers of the FIV-positive cats were significantly (P less than 0.03) higher than those of the FIV-negative cats. The FIV-positive cats were not coinfected with FeLV. Our findings suggested that FIV-associated immunosuppression may be a factor in active Toxoplasma infection in adult cats.
Witt
C J
CJ
Division of Comparative Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
Moench
T R
TR
Gittelsohn
A M
AM
Bishop
B D
BD
Childs
J E
JE
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D015142:Baltimore; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000276:immunology; D012192:Retroviridae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000914:Antibodies, Viral