Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cats from Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by the protozoa Toxoplasma gondii which infects all warm-blood vertebrates. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in a population of domestic cats seen at a major cat-only veterinary clinic in Curitiba, Paraná State, Southern Brazil. Serum samples were processed by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIFA) for the detection of IgG. Antibody titers were found in 16.3% (46/282) of sera analyzed, with titers to T. gondii of 16 in eight cats, 64 in 23 cats, 256 in 14 cats and 1024 in one cat. Statistical differences were not found regarding the association with age, gender and different areas of the city (p > 0.05). No significant differences were found in any variable when comparing seropositivity with potential risk factors. The seroprevalence was relatively lower when compared to other Brazilian regions, probably due to the fact that the cats studied were owned, domiciled with restricted dietary habits based on processed foods, restricted access to the street and no prey access. In conclusion, low feline toxoplasmosis seroprevalence may be associated to owned cats due to adequate dietary care and restricted outdoor access, as well as low local environmental exposure.

Anticorpos anti-toxoplasma gondii em gatos domiciliados no Município de Rio Branco, Acre, Brasil

“…However, this difference was not observed by Rosa et al (2010) or Garcia et al (1999). In a survey of 282 cats in the city of Curitiba, Paraná, Cruz et al (2011) reported that there was no difference between positive and negative cats in terms of sex and age (p > 0.05), which corroborates the results obtained in Rio Branco, Acre.…”

Serosurvey of Leptospira spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in rats captured from two zoos in Southern Brazil

“…Cats acquire the infection by hunting rats and birds 5 . However, a previous study with domiciled cats in Curitiba showed a seroprevalence of 16.3% for T. gondii, despite no association with hunting and/or outdoor access 17 . These results corroborate the low prevalence found in this study, indicating that rats may not be the main source of T. gondii infection in domestic cats.…”

Zoonosis in dogs and cats attended by the Birth Control Project: Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania spp. and Leptospira spp., serodiagnosis and epidemiology

“…Seropositivity rates in cats in this study were not significantly associated with their age. However, Cruz et al (2011) reported a prevalence of 16.3% (46/282) among healthy house cats from veterinary clinics in Curitiba, Paraná, and found that seropositivity rates tended to increase with age, an observation also reported by Garcia et al (1999). These findings are likely explained by increased exposure to different sources of infection and routes of transmission throughout their lives (LUCAS et al, 1999).…”