Nested PCR-based detection of Toxoplasma gondii in German shepherd dogs and stray cats in South Korea

et al. 2010

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence ofToxoplasma gondiiInfection in Stray and Household Cats in Regions of Seoul, Korea

Lee

et al. 2010

“…Free-living animals such as stray cats, boars, and foxes could be surveyed as indicators of environmental spreading of T. gondii. Stray cats are especially important in Korea because they occupy the highest position of the urban food chain and have increased their numbers gradually [7]. In previous reports on the prevalence of T. gondii in Korea, 37.0% (17/46) of cats raised on Jeju island were seropositive by ELISA [8], 13.1% (26/198) of stray cats in a rural area near Chinju-si were positive by sandwich-ELISA [9], and 20.7% of 212 stray cats from 5 regions were positive by indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay [9].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Stray Cats of Gyeonggi-do, Korea

Kang

et al. 2008

Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide parasite that can infect the central nervous system of warm-blooded animals, including humans. The infection is acquired mainly by eating food or water contaminated with oocyst or tissue cysts of T. gondii [1]. A zoonotic infection of this parasite leads to an asymptomatic infection in healthy persons. Clinical toxoplasmosis appears to occur by reactivation of the infection in individuals who are immunocompromised, especially patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or cancer [2]. Cats play an important role in the spread of toxoplasmosis because they are the only animals that excrete resistant oocysts into the environment [3]. In the Republic of Korea, large numbers of stray cats are found roaming residential streets and increasing the risk of public health for animals and humans. The present study was performed to determine the prevalence of T. gondii in a Korean stray cat population, as this frequency is important for determining the epidemiological significance of T. gondii infection.A total of 174 stray cats (75 males and 99 females) were assayed for the prevalence of T. gondii using the latex agglutination test (LAT), ELISA, and diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Twenty samples were collected from Gwacheon-si, 82 from Bucheon-si, and 72 from Yangju-si in Gyeonggi-do, Korea. Stray cats were captured as the TNR (trap, neuter, return) program, promoted by the government from April to October 2007. Blood was collected from each cat by cephalic or jugular venipuncture, allowed to clot, and centrifuged for 5 min at 1,800 g, and then the serum was collected and stored at -20℃ until used. The presence of T. gondii antibodies was analyzed using a LAT kit (Eiken Chemical Co., Tokyo, Japan). The procedures described in the manufacturer's instructions were followed accurately. Briefly, serial 2-fold dilutions of the sera were prepared to 1 : 2,048 titer. After mixing the sensitive latex suspension for at least 12 hr, titers measuring 32 or higher were recorded as positive. ELISA was performed as previously described in Choi et al. [4]. The cutoff absorbance of 0.25 was recorded as a positive reaction. For diagnostic PCR, 2 pairs of oligonucleotide primers directed against the B1 gene of T. gondii were used to perform nested PCR [5], using a Maxime PCR premix Kit (Intron, Korea). PCR reactions were cycled 40 times with denaturation at 93℃ for 10 sec followed by annealing at 57℃ for 10 sec and finally an extension step at 72℃ for 30 sec. The amplified DNA was visualized following separation in 2% agarose gels.In LAT, T. gondii antibodies were detected in 14 (8.1%) of 174 Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Stray Cats of Gyeonggi-do, KoreaKorean J Parasitol. Vol. 46, No. 3: 199-201, September 2008 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2008 199 Abstract: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular zoonotic protozoan with a worldwide distribution. It infects humans as well as a broad spectrum of vertebrate hosts. Cats and wild felidae play crucial roles in the epidemiology of toxoplasmo...

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“…Among them, cats are the only animal that excretes oocysts into the environment [1]. As recently reported, 47.2% out of 106 stray cats [2] and 13.2% out of 174 stray cats [3] were T. gondii positive by nested PCR assay in Korea. Stray cats have been increasing in Korea roaming residential areas, and this increased the risk of public health hazards.…”

mentioning

confidence: 85%

Genotype of Toxoplasma gondii from Blood of Stray Cats in Gyeonggi-do, Korea

Lee

et al. 2009