Abstract
BackgroundToxoplasma gondii is a protozoan with a worldwide distribution, in warm-blood animals, including humans. Local conditions and environmental disturbances may influence transmission dynamics of a zoonotic agent. This study evaluates the epidemiology of T. gondii based on toxoplasmosis prevalence in two populations of cats living in distinct urbanization conditions in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.MethodsAmong 372 domestic cats sampled, 265 were from a public shelter located downtown Rio and 107 from a relatively preserved wild environment in a residential area. Sera and eluates from dried blood spots were tested for detection of IgG antibodies against T. gondii by modified agglutination test (MAT).ResultsAntibodies to T. gondii were detected in 32/265 (12.08%) animals from the public shelter and in 4/107 (3.74%) cats from the residential area. Identical results were observed for sera and eluates.ConclusionsFilter paper provides a reliable accurate alternative storage option when conditions of sample collection and transportation in the field are unfavorable. The significantly lower prevalence in the residential area is discussed in terms of environmental, biological and behavioral features.
Highlights
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan with a worldwide distribution, in warm-blood animals, including humans
Samples stored on filter paper showed the same qualitative results for modified agglutination test (MAT) as sera from collection tubes
Positive samples (36) showed high titers (≥1:800) with both techniques, except for 3 cases which showed discordance between titers obtained with MAT on serum or dried blood spots (800/20, 100/40 and 100/800, respectively)
Summary
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan with a worldwide distribution, in warm-blood animals, including humans. Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan with a successful worldwide distribution and a widespread presence in warm-blood animals, including humans [1]. These characteristics have encouraged numerous studies in order to better understand its biology, genetics and transmission dynamics. The prevalence of human Toxoplasma infection varies significantly. It ranges from less than 10% in Korea [5] to over 80% in Brazil [6]. Infection with T. gondii is generally asymptomatic, human infection in South America, mainly in Brazil, may lead to neurological complications and ocular lesions, probably due to the genetic difference in these virulent strains and poor host adaptation
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