title: Serologic survey for Toxoplasma gondii in selected wildlife species from Alaska.
abstract: Blood was collected from selected wildlife species in specific areas of Alaska (USA) during 1976-96. A modified agglutination test was used to test sera for evidence of exposure to Toxoplasma gondii. Serum antibody prevalence was 43% (62 positive of 143 tested) for black bears (Ursus americanus), 9% (11/125) for wolves (Canis lupus), 7% (22/319) for Dall sheep (Ovis dalli), 6% (14/241) for caribou (Rangifer tarandus), 1% (3/240) for moose (Alces alces), and 1% (2/241) for bison (Bison bison). A predictive model was developed to determine the effect of sex, age, location, and year of collection on antibody prevalence for each species. Prevalence was higher in older black bears, caribou, and wolves. For black bears, prevalence was highest in the southeast region of the state. For caribou, prevalence was lowest on the Alaska Peninsula.
authors.affiliation: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fairbanks 99701-1599, USA. randy_zarnke@fishgame.state.ak.us
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Zarnke
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Dubey
authors.forename: O C
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Kwok
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ver Hoef
mesh_terms: D000372:Agglutination Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D000413:Alaska / Q000453:epidemiology; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000469:parasitology*; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D016164:Bison / Q000469:parasitology; D003670:Deer / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D016014:Linear Models; D012053:Reindeer / Q000469:parasitology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001503:Ursidae / Q000469:parasitology; D019596:Wolves / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan