title: Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic rabbits in Durango State, Mexico.
abstract: There is a lack of information concerning the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in rabbits in northern Mexico. Through a cross sectional study, antibodies to T. gondii were determined in 429 domestic rabbits in Durango State, Mexico using the modified agglutination test. Rabbits were raised in 29 properties in 6 municipalities. Overall, antibodies to T. gondii were found in 70 (16.3%) of 429 rabbits, with titers of 1:25 in 42, 1:50 in 19, 1:100 in 5, 1:200 in 3, and 1:800 in 1. Seropositive rabbits were found in 21 (72.4%) of 29 properties, including 16 of 21 homes, 4 of 5 farms, and 1 of 3 pet shops. This is the first study of T. gondii infection in rabbits in Durango, Mexico. Results indicate that infected rabbits are a potential source of T. gondii infection in humans in Durango State.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Mexico.
authors.forename: Cosme
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alvarado-Esquivel
authors.forename: Domingo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alvarado-Esquivel
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Villena
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Dubey
mesh_terms: D000372:Agglutination Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011817:Rabbits; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan
keywords: Mexico; Rabbits; Seroprevalence; Toxoplasma gondii