Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in Belgian house cats.
De Craeye, Stéphane ; Francart, Aurélie ; Chabauty, Julie ; De Vriendt, Veerle ; ; Leroux, Ingrid ; Jongert, Erik
De Craeye, Stéphane
Francart, Aurélie
Chabauty, Julie
De Vriendt, Veerle
Leroux, Ingrid
Jongert, Erik
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Abstract
Five hundred and sixty seven sera of healthy house cats aged 3 months to 7 years, were examined for the presence of anti-toxoplasma antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence assay and compared to SAG1 and TLA enzyme linked immunosorbent assays as alternative test. Twenty-five percent of cats tested positive for IgG and/or IgM. Seroprevalence increased with age from 2% below 12 months of age up to 44% at age 7. Sensitivities of SAG1 and TLA ELISA were 84.1% and 88.6%, respectively. Peak levels in seroprevalence were correlated to increased IgG titers in TLA ELISA. Our results suggest that T. gondii infections are common in house cats and that there is a high chance for a negative cat to seroconvert in its second life-year.
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2008-10-20
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Peer reviewed scientific article
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Animals, Antibodies, Protozoan, Belgium, Cat Diseases, Cats, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect, Immunoglobulin G, Immunoglobulin M, prevalence, Protozoan Proteins, Seroepidemiologic Studies, Toxoplasma, Toxoplasmosis, Animal
