title: Prevalence of agglutinating antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis neurona in beavers (Castor canadensis) from Massachusetts.
abstract: The present study examined the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis neurona in a population of beavers (Castor canadensis) from Massachusetts. Sixty-two blood samples were collected during the field seasons over 3 consecutive years from different animals. Blood was collected onto filter paper and shipped to the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, for parasite testing. The samples were tested at dilutions of 1:25, 1:50, and 1:100 against each parasite antigen by modified agglutination tests to determine whether antibodies to either parasite were present in the blood. Six of 62 samples (10%) were positive for T. gondii, with 2 samples having titers of 1:25 and 4 having titers of 1:50. Four of 62 samples (6%) were positive for S. neurona, with 2 samples having titers of 1:25 and 2 having titers of 1:50.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg 24061-0342, USA.
authors.forename: Carly N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: Taranjit
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.forename: Kiana
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koenen
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: DeStefano
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Zajac
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Lindsay
mesh_terms: D000372:Agglutination Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D012377:Rodentia / Q000469:parasitology*; D012522:Sarcocystis / Q000276:immunology*; D012523:Sarcocystosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan