Methods of Laboratory diagnostics of intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii in pets of the Felidae family

Abstract

The main source of the spread of the invasive origin and the entry of toxoplasma oocysts into the external environment are pets - cats, infection of all types of mammals is possible. Transmission of the pathogen can occur during contact with animals, as well as when using thermally insufficiently processed meat. The main danger of toxoplasmosis is for pregnant cats (primary infection during pregnancy is associated with the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis and fetal development disorders), as well as with a pronounced decrease in immunity. In domestic pets of the feline family, pathogens of toxoplasmosis are at different stages of development, therefore oocysts can be detected by examining freshly excreted feces by the Fulleborn method or by detecting antibodies in the blood by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) using the Immunorun Antigen Detection Kit canine Heartworm test system, manufactured by Biogal - Galed labs (Israel). The material for this work was the results of laboratory tests of blood and faecal samples from 73 pets (46 females, 27 males) aged 6 months to 10 years and one-time studies by the Fulleborn method of faecal samples from 109 different-aged pets (69 females, 40 males) examined in 2020-21 in the veterinary clinic of the city of Yakutsk due to other diseases and preventive examination.