Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in domestic cats from rural Ohio.
Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were determined in serum samples from 275 domestic cats from a mobile spay and neuter clinic from 8 counties in Ohio. The modified agglutination test incorporating whole formalinized tachyzoites and mercaptoethanol was used to determine antibodies. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 133 (48%) out of 275 cats: in titers of 1:25 in 24, 1:50 in 37, and 1:500 or more in 72. The highest prevalence (62% of 78) was in outdoor cats. The prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in 48% of cats suggests wide-spread contamination of the rural environment with oocysts.
Dubey
J P
JP
Parasite Biology, Epidemiology, and Systematics Laboratory, Building 1001, Animal and Natural Resources Institute, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350, USA. jdubey@anri.barc.usda.gov
Saville
W J A
WJ
Stanek
J F
JF
Reed
S M
SM
D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002415:Cats; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan