Detection of Toxolasma gondii in captive wild felids

Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2006:37 Suppl 3:15-7.

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii can infect all species of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and causes serious diseases in immunocompromized hosts. Live tachyzoites derived from serial passage in HeLa culture were used in the Sabin-Feldman dye test for detection of Toxoplasma gondii antibody in serum samples of 21 captive wild felids including one fishing cat (Prion nailurus viverrina), one leopard (Panthera pardus), two flat-headed cats (Prion nailurus planiceps), 6 tigers (Panthera tigris), two leopard cats (Felis bengalensis), two clouded leopards (Felis nebulosa), 3 pumas (Puma concolor), and 4 jungle cats (Felis chaus). Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were founded in 9 of 21 felids (42.8%). This study revealed that cell culture-derived tachyzoites can be used successfully as a source of live organisms in a gold standard Sabin-Feldman dye test, which is simpler, cheaper and less ethically sensitive than in vivo inoculation.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood*
  • Culture Techniques
  • Felidae / parasitology*
  • Prevalence
  • Thailand / epidemiology
  • Toxoplasma / isolation & purification*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / epidemiology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan