Detection of Toxolasma gondii in captive wild felids.
Toxoplasma gondii can infect all species of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and causes serious diseases in immunocompromized hosts. Live tachyzoites derived from serial passage in HeLa culture were used in the Sabin-Feldman dye test for detection of Toxoplasma gondii antibody in serum samples of 21 captive wild felids including one fishing cat (Prion nailurus viverrina), one leopard (Panthera pardus), two flat-headed cats (Prion nailurus planiceps), 6 tigers (Panthera tigris), two leopard cats (Felis bengalensis), two clouded leopards (Felis nebulosa), 3 pumas (Puma concolor), and 4 jungle cats (Felis chaus). Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were founded in 9 of 21 felids (42.8%). This study revealed that cell culture-derived tachyzoites can be used successfully as a source of live organisms in a gold standard Sabin-Feldman dye test, which is simpler, cheaper and less ethically sensitive than in vivo inoculation.
Buddhirongawatr
Ruangrat
R
Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Tungsudjai
Siriporn
S
Chaichoune
Kridsada
K
Sangloung
Charoonluk
C
Tantawiwattananon
Nitipan
N
Phonaknguen
Rassameepen
R
Sukthana
Yaowalark
Y
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D046508:Culture Techniques; D045989:Felidae / Q000469:parasitology*; D015995:Prevalence; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan