title: Prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasmagondii and Neosporacaninum in red foxes (Vulpesvulpes) from around the UK.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in a random sample of red foxes from around the UK. Lung fluid from over 500 foxes was examined using an indirect fluorescent antibody test. Reciprocal titres of specific antibodies to T. gondii or N. caninum ranged from < 1:16 to 1:1024. A titre of 1:128 or greater was deemed indicative of exposure to the parasite. One hundred and eleven (20%) of the 549 foxes tested were seropositive to T. gondii, and only five (0.9%) were seropositive to N. caninum. No correlation could be made between positive samples and geographical distribution, as sample numbers varied greatly between regions. The results of this study indicate that red foxes of the UK have more exposure to T. gondii than to N. caninum in their environment.
authors.affiliation: Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 OPZ, UK. hamiltcm@tcd.ie
authors.forename: Clare M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Stephen E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Babunilayam
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gangadharan
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laurenson
authors.forename: Elisabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Innes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000662:veterinary*; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / Q000662:veterinary; D005589:Foxes / Q000469:parasitology*; D008168:Lung / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D018688:Neospora / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015995:Prevalence; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan