title: Epidemiologic observations on infection with Toxoplasma gondii in three species of urban mammals from Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
abstract: The prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii was determined in three species of domestic and commensal mammals, from Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Crude prevalences of infection were 14.5% in cats (N = 650), 32.2% in dogs (N = 233), and 49.5% in Norway rats (N = 109). Oocysts identical to T. gondii were detected in 0.5% of cat feces. Cats and rats showed antibody prevalence rates which were strongly age-(or some age-related variable) dependent, with the highest rates associated with older animals. Antibody prevalence increased in dogs up to three years of age, then declined slightly in older animals.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D002415:Cats / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs / Q000469:parasitology*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland; D051381:Rats / Q000469:parasitology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies