Toxoplasma gondii antibody in domestic cats in Melbourne.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in a population of domestic cats in Melbourne.


METHODS
An ELISA assay was used to measure T gondii antibody titres in 103 cats from north-eastern Melbourne. Cats were obtained from outer suburban areas (less than 30 km from the Melbourne GPO) and from rural areas (more than 30 km from the Melbourne GPO).


RESULTS
Thirty-nine percent of cats were positive for T gondii IgG. Older cats tended to have higher antibody titres. There was no significant difference in the T gondii antibody titres between males and females, or between cats living in urban areas and cats from rural areas.


CONCLUSIONS
A significant proportion of cats from Melbourne have been exposed to Toxoplasma. This may have implications for the health of wildlife and humans.
Sumner
B
B
Deakin University, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Victoria.
Ackland
M L
ML
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D002415:Cats; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan