Validation of the Use of Dried Blood Samples for the Detection of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Stray Cats (Felis s. catus)

Abstract

If validated beforehand, the analysis of dried blood on blotting paper (BP samples) is very useful for monitoring free-ranging animals. We aimed to validate this method for the detection of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in stray cats. We used the modified agglutination test (MAT) in 199 sample pairs of sera and BP samples from 54, 39, 56, and 50 cats trapped during four periods in five dairy farms. Screening was at 1:6, 1:12, and 1:24 dilutions. The cut-off value was at MAT titre ≥ 24, but MAT titre ≥ 12 was also considered for BP samples that often have a higher dilution level. Depending on the period, sample type, and cut-off value, sensitivity of the analysis of the BP sample vs. serum varied from 87.1% to 100% and specificity ranged from 72.22% to 100%. The concordance values and Kappa coefficient showed a substantial to excellent agreement between the results of the two methods, whatever the cut-off value. These findings quantifiably validate the use of MAT on BP samples for the detection of antibodies to T. gondii in stray cats, but we recommend expressing results from BP samples with several cut-off values as the MAT titres tend to be lower than those of sera.

Felid Parasitoses, New Insights and Open Perspectives

“…Serodiagnosis of T. gondii in stray cats may be challenging due to difficulties with sample collection. Simon et al [12] validated the use of dried blood samples for the detection of T. gondii antibodies in stray cats, as an easy and cheap alternative to classical blood collection and serum separation before examination. The results indicate that applying the modified agglutination test to blood dried on blotting paper is reliable for identifying the presence of T. gondii antibodies in domestic cats, offering a practical technique for monitoring free-ranging animals [12].…”