Abstract
Domestic cats are a potential source of Toxoplasma gondii infection for humans. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors for T. gondii infection in domestic cats. Cat sera (n = 182) were tested for T. gondii IgG antibodies using the latex agglutination test (LAT) and the GRA7 of T. gondii (TgGRA7)-indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify the factors associated with T. gondii infection. The overall prevalence rates were 18.1% (33/182) according to LAT, 19.2% (35/182) according to the iELISA and 17.0% (31/182) according to LAT and iELISA. Univariable analyses identified, outdoor access (P = 0.006), being a former stray cat (P = 0.001) and successful hunting behaviors (P = 0.04) as risk factors for T. gondii infection. Outdoor access (OR 2.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–6.72) and is a former stray cat (OR 3.69, 95% CI 1.52–8.96) remained significant risk factors in multivariable analyses. This study indicated a relatively high seroprevalence of T. gondii among domestic cats. Cat owners can reduce the risk for T. gondii infection by not allowing their cats to roam free. Furthermore, education about the transmission of the parasite should be provided to prevent infection to the owners.
Highlights
Toxoplasmosis is a widely distributed zoonotic infection caused by the intracellular parasite in Phylum Apicomplexa, Toxoplasma gondii
Of 182 cats sampled from 75 owners, female cats accounted for 48.4% of the population, whereas male cats comprised 51.6%
A total of 182 serum samples collected from cats were tested for anti-T. gondii antibodies using latex agglutination test (LAT) and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) based on TgGRA7
Summary
Toxoplasmosis is a widely distributed zoonotic infection caused by the intracellular parasite in Phylum Apicomplexa, Toxoplasma gondii. Serological studies of urban stray cats (unowned, free-roaming, and dependent on humans for food) conducted in Thailand have reported T. gondii seroprevalence rates ranging from 4.8% to 11% in Bangkok (Sukthana et al, 2003; Jittapalapong et al, 2007; Jittapalapong et al, 2010). The seroprevalence and risk factors for T. gondii infection among owned cats have been reported infrequently in Thailand. Little information on T. gondii infection in owned cats and risk factors was available in Thailand. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii using TgGRA7 and the risk factors for infection among owned cats. The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was calculated for all samples Seropositive results in both LAT and TgGRA7-based iELISA were used for risk factor analysis. The strength of agreement was graded with kappa values of a fair (0.21–0.40), moderate (0.41– 0.60), and a substantial (0.61–0.80)
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