Abstract
ABSTRACT Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases in the world. Felines excrete environmentally resistant Toxoplasma gondii oocysts. However, there is no direct evidence to prove tigers are the intermediate host of T. gondii. Here, we show that, IgG antibodies to T. gondii in 80% (8/10) of captive tigers. Two viable T. gondii strains (ToxoDB genotype #9) were isolated by bioassay in mice using striated muscles of two tigers (Tiger#3 and Tiger#8). Additionally, mice were confirmed as T. gondii-positive by bioassay of feces #89–110, but no viable T. gondii strain was isolated successfully. The fecal samples from tigers may contain T. gondii oocysts. This is the first report of T. gondii isolation from tigers. These results provide direct evidence that an extra-intestinal cycle of T. gondii may develop in tigers.
Highlights
Dear editor: Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases in the world
There is currently no direct evidence that an extra-intestinal cycle of T. gondii occurs in tigers
Histopathological diagnosis revealed that pneumonia, declined immune function, and reproductive disorders were the common causes of tigers death in the majority of cases (Figure S2)
Summary
Dear editor: Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases in the world. Felines excrete environmentally resistant Toxoplasma gondii oocysts [1]. KEYWORDS Toxoplasma gondii; extra-intestinal cycle; tiger; isolation; public health There is currently no direct evidence that an extra-intestinal cycle of T. gondii occurs in tigers. From December 2016 to May 2019, fresh tiger tissues (n = 9) or serum samples (n = 2) were collected from zoos by local veterinarians and transported to the Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology of Henan Agricultural University for histopathological diagnosis on tissue samples, serological diagnosis on serum and heart juice samples.
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