Toxoplasma gondii infections are prevalent in humans and animals worldwide. The aim of the study was to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii in pet rabbits, as well the presence of T. gondii DNA in their blood. A total of 360 pet rabbits were investigated for the presence of antibodies and antigens of T. gondii in blood samples using a modified agglutination test (MAT) and nested PCR, respectively. Antibodies against T. gondii were found in 44 (12.12%) of pet rabbits. In rabbits that received unwashed vegetables 13.13% were positive for T. gondii antibodies, whereas all rabbits that received washed vegetables were seronegative. The prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies was statistically higher in samples collected from ill rabbits (45.45%) compared with healthy ones (8.87%), as well in the group of rabbits that had contact with cats (16.13%) compared with those without contact with cats (3.57%). The percentage of seropositive samples derived from all three sampling regions of Poland was as follows: Silesia (12.20%), Lower Silesia (6.09%), and Lesser Poland (18.03%). No statistical differences in seroprevalence were observed according to age or sex of rabbits. All tested blood samples were negative for the T. gondii B1 gene in nested PCR. This is the first study of seroprevalence and the presence of T. gondii in the blood of pet rabbits in Poland. Our study indicates that health status of rabbits, contact with cats, as well sampling region may have an important impact on the prevalence of T. gondii infection.
Keywords: Poland; Toxoplasma gondii; nested PCR; pet rabbits; seroprevalence.