title: Detection of Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies in juvenile great grey kangaroos, Macropus giganteus giganteus.
abstract: Serial IgG antibody titers to Toxoplasma gondii from three juvenile great grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus giganteus) with clinical signs consistent with toxoplasmosis were compared with titers from three clinically normal juveniles of similar age. The modified agglutination test was used to measure antibodies to T. gondii. Results demonstrated declining antibody titers to T. gondii in five of six animals. Antibody titers were similar in animals with and without clinical signs. This was interpreted as an indication that maternal IgG antibodies to T. gondii were transferred to juveniles, presumably in milk, rather than an indication of clinical disease. Therefore, clinicians should interpret Toxoplasma serology results in juvenile macropods cautiously.
authors.affiliation: Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, 3411 Sherman Boulevard, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46808, USA.
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Faulkner
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patton
mesh_terms: D000372:Agglutination Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007614:Macropodidae / Q000469:parasitology*; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D007074:Immunoglobulin G