Prevalence of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> infection in cats in southwestern Poland

Abstract

Objective. An assessment of the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cats from southwestern Poland using serology, coproscopy and PCR methods. Materials and method. In total, 208 cats (139 females and 68 males), aged 0.5-12 years (mean=2.6) from 25 localities in southwestern Poland were examined by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFAT) to estimate the T. gondii serological status. Faecal samples of 41 cats were examined for the presence of oocysts/DNA T. gondii by microscopy and Real-time/nested PCR. After flotation (with NaNO 3), pellets from faecal samples were disrupted by 10 cycles of freezing (liquid nitrogen) and warming. DNA was extracted using QIamp DNA Stool Mini Kit (Qiagen), according to the manufacturer's instruction. Results. The positive results in IFAT for anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were found in 143 of 208 tested cats (68.8%). Among positive results, 14.5%, 34.1% and 51.4% were detected in titre ranges 128-512, 1,000-2,000 and ≥ 4,000, respectively. In 23.1% of cat sera anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies were found. The prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies was significantly greater in older cats (>1 year) (83.5%) than in younger cats (48.3%) (P<0.05), in females (74.1%) than in males (58.8%) (P<0.05), and in cats kept outdoors than indoors (69.7% vs. 16.7%) (P<0.01). Among the 41 faecal samples examined, the presence of structures resembling T. gondii oocysts was found in 2 samples (4.9%), and for one of these samples (2.4% of the total) the result was also confirmed by PCR. Conclusions. T. gondii infection in domestic cats is highly prevalent in southwestern Poland. Information on the prevalence of infection in cats can be useful for assessing T. gondii environmental contamination and the risk for public health.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Cats from Cyprus

“…gondii seroprevalence studies in feline populations have been conducted over the last decade [ 5 ]. The result of the present survey shows that the infection rate in Cyprus (32.3 %) is consistent with the recently reported prevalences in most areas in Europe, even though in some countries, such as Poland, France, Estonia and Albania, percentages of over 60.0% have been recorded [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. During the last decade, the highest percentage of seropositive animals (84.7%) was recorded in the island of Majorca, in feral cats [ 34 ].…”

Potential sources of infection with selected zoonotic agents in the veterinary work environment – pilot studies

“…In the study of cat sera for the presence of antibodies against T. gondii, positive results were obtained in almost 75% of cases. This result is in agreement with earlier serological studies [40] and with the well-established view on the main role of the cat as a definitive host of T. gondii, excreting infective oocysts into soil and water [5]. In the presented study, a distinct increase of seroprevalence was found with cats' age in up to 100% in animals more than 10-years-old.…”

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cats from Cyprus

“…In Europe, several T. gondii seroprevalence studies in feline populations have been conducted over the last decade [5]. The result of the present survey shows that the infection rate in Cyprus (32.3 %) is consistent with the recently reported prevalences in most areas in Europe, even though in some countries, like Poland, France, Estonia and Albania, percentages of over 60% have been recorded [32][33][34][35][36]. During the last decade, the highest percentage of seropositive animals (84.7%) was recorded in the island of Majorca, in feral cats [37].…”