title: Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic pets from metropolitan regions of Panama.
abstract: Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease but information regarding domestic animals in Central America is scarce and fragmented. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic cats and dogs in different metropolitan regions of Panama. A total of 576 samples were collected; sera from 120 cats and 456 dogs were tested using a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The overall seroprevalence of IgG antibodies was 30.73%. There is high seroprevalence of T. gondii in cats and dogs in the metropolitan regions around the Panama Canal; however, differences between these species were not significant. Statistical analysis indicated that there are relevant variables, such as the age of animals, with a direct positive relationship with seroprevalence. None of the variables related to animal welfare (veterinary attention provided, type of dwelling, and access to green areas and drinking water) were associated with seropositivity.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad de Panamá. Campus Harmodio Árias Madrid (Curundu), Apartado 3366, Panama 4, Panama - Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología, Asociación de Interés Público (INDICASAT). Ciudad del Saber (Clayton), Apartado 0843-01103, Panama 4, Panama - National Research System, National Secretary of Science, Technology and Innovation (SNI-SENACYT). Ciudad del Saber (Clayton), Apartado 0816-02852, Panama 5, Panama.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rengifo-Herrera
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología, Asociación de Interés Público (INDICASAT). Ciudad del Saber (Clayton), Apartado 0843-01103, Panama 4, Panama - National Research System, National Secretary of Science, Technology and Innovation (SNI-SENACYT). Ciudad del Saber (Clayton), Apartado 0816-02852, Panama 5, Panama.
authors.forename: Edwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pile
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología, Asociación de Interés Público (INDICASAT). Ciudad del Saber (Clayton), Apartado 0843-01103, Panama 4, Panama.
authors.forename: Anabel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: García
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad de Panamá. Campus Harmodio Árias Madrid (Curundu), Apartado 3366, Panama 4, Panama - Fundación San Francisco de Asís (Fundasis), Apartado 0816-04057, Panama.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.affiliation: Fundación San Francisco de Asís (Fundasis), Apartado 0816-04057, Panama.
authors.forename: Dimas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología, Asociación de Interés Público (INDICASAT). Ciudad del Saber (Clayton), Apartado 0843-01103, Panama 4, Panama - Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Felicia K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología, Asociación de Interés Público (INDICASAT). Ciudad del Saber (Clayton), Apartado 0843-01103, Panama 4, Panama.
authors.forename: Valli
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: de la Guardia
authors.affiliation: Toxoplasmosis Center, University of Chicago Medicine, 5841 South Maryland ave, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
authors.forename: Rima
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mcleod
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología, Asociación de Interés Público (INDICASAT). Ciudad del Saber (Clayton), Apartado 0843-01103, Panama 4, Panama.
authors.forename: Zuleima
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Caballero
mesh_terms: D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000635:transmission; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000635:transmission; D004285:Dogs; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D010176:Panama / Q000453:epidemiology; D057805:Pets / Q000469:parasitology*; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D014505:Urban Population
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D007074:Immunoglobulin G