Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cats in Georgia using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for IgM, IgG, and antigens.
Serologic prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays detecting immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and circulating T. gondii antigens (Ag) in 81 healthy cats and 107 cats with clinical signs referable to toxoplasmosis. A higher prevalence of infection was detected using the three assays together in healthy cats, clinically ill cats, and combined healthy and clinically ill cats than when IgG class antibody detection alone was used. IgM titers greater than or equal to 1:256 and IgG titers greater than or equal to 1:512 were present more frequently in cats with clinical signs of disease. Prevalence of present or prior infection as defined by these three assays combined increased with advancing age in both groups of cats.
Lappin
M R
MR
Department of Small Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.
Greene
C E
CE
Prestwood
A K
AK
Dawe
D L
DL
Marks
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002415:Cats; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007136:Immunoglobulins